Compounds and methods for modulating frataxin expression

ABSTRACT

The present technology relates to compositions and methods for modulating expression of genes, which include a target oligonucleotide sequence, such as repeats of a particular oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 10 nucleotides. In particular aspects, the present technology relates to agents having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a nucleic acid binding moiety, such as a polyamide or complementary oligonucleotide, that specifically binds to the target oligonucleotide sequence.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/315,466, filed Mar. 30, 2016, and U.S. provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/366,700, filed Jul. 26, 2016, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

This invention was made with government support under CA133508 and HL099773 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on May 24, 2017, is named 999400-5743_SL.TXT and is 11,740 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

Friedreich's ataxia (also referred to as FA or FRDA) is a rare but fatal autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease, with an estimated incidence of 1 in every 40,000 people. This condition is typically found in individuals with European, Middle Eastern, or North African ancestry. FRDA causes progressive damage to the nervous system and muscle cells, resulting in a loss of coordination as well as various neurological and cardiac complications. In particular, FRDA patients develop neurodegeneration of the large sensory neurons and spinocerebellar tracts, as well as cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus. Onset of symptoms is typically seen between the ages of 5 and 15 years, and the mean age of death is approximately 38 years.

Friedreich's ataxia is caused by an abnormal expansion of the guanine-adenine-adenine (GAA) trinucleotide repeat sequences in intron 1 of the frataxin (FXN) gene, resulting in transcriptional repression and reduced expression of the frataxin (FXN) protein. Frataxin, which is encoded by the nuclear frataxin (FXN) gene, is a highly-conserved, 210-amino acid protein that is localized to the mitochondrion. Most FRDA patients (approximately 98%) carry a homozygous mutation characterized by an expansion of a GAA trinucleotide repeat in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene. Pathological GAA expansions can range from about 66 to more than 1,000 trinucleotide repeats, whereas frataxin alleles that are not associated with FRDA comprise from about 6 to about 34 repeats.

There is presently no cure for FRDA or specific therapy to prevent progression of the disease which has been approved for use as a treatment. Therefore, there is a need to develop compositions that restore or partially restore frataxin levels to treat and/or prevent FRDA.

SUMMARY

The present technology relates generally to compositions and methods for modulating expression of genes which include a target oligonucleotide sequence, e.g., typically a specific oligonucleotide sequence containing about 10 to 100 nucleotides. In particular aspects, the present technology relates to agents having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker, typically a covalent linker having a backbone chain including at least 10 atoms; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a nucleic acid binding moiety that specifically binds to a target oligonucleotide sequence, e.g., a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence, or an oligonucleotide sequence (e.g., containing about 15 to 30 nucleotides) that is complementary to a desired target oligonucleotide sequence.

In some aspects, the present technology relates to compositions and methods for modulating expression of genes which include repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 6 nucleotides, such as a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. In particular aspects, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for modulating gene expression. In one aspect, the compositions comprise any one or more of the agents shown in Section II. In some embodiments, the agent has a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 6 nucleotides, such as a GAA oligonucleotide sequence.

In some embodiments, A may be a triazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety or related structure, such as a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety.

In some embodiments, the agent is capable of increasing mRNA expression levels of a gene which includes repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence, e.g., increasing frataxin mRNA levels in a cell derived from a Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) patient. In some embodiments, the agent is capable of increasing frataxin mRNA levels in a GM15850 FRDA patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell. In some embodiments, the agent is capable of inducing at least about a 2-fold increase in frataxin mRNA levels in a GM15850 FRDA patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell line. In some embodiments, the agent is capable of inducing at least about a 2.5-fold, 3-fold, or 3.5-fold increase in frataxin mRNA levels in a GM15850 FRDA patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell line. In some embodiments, the agent is capable of inducing at least about a 4-fold increase in frataxin mRNA levels in a GM15850 FRDA patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell line. In some embodiments, the agent is capable of inducing at least about a 6-fold increase in frataxin mRNA levels in a GM15850 FRDA patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell line. In some embodiments, the agent is capable of inducing at least about an 8-fold increase in frataxin mRNA levels in a GM15850 FRDA patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell line. In some embodiments, the agent is capable of inducing at least about a 2.5-fold increase, at least about a 4-fold increase, at least about a 6-fold increase, or at least about an 8-fold increase in frataxin mRNA levels in a GM15850 FRDA patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell line.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of any one or more of the agents described in Section II and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is selected from one or more of saline, solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents compatible with pharmaceutical administration. In some embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the agent is between 0.1 mg/kg to about 7.5 mg/kg body weight of a subject in need thereof.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for modulating transcription of a gene that includes multiple repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 6 nucleotides, such as a GAA oligonucleotide repeat expansion. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the modulation of transcription is effected by contacting the gene with an agent of the present technology having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of the oligonucleotide sequence, thereby modulating the transcription of the gene.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for increasing frataxin mRNA levels in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of any one or more of the agents shown in Section II. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for increasing frataxin protein levels in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of any one or more of the agents shown in Section II. In some embodiments, the cell may be derived from a Friedreich's ataxia patient. In some embodiments, the cell may be derived from a Friedreich's ataxia patient cell line. In some embodiments, the Friedreich's ataxia patient cell line is a GM15850 cell line. In some embodiments, the cell may be a dorsal root ganglia neuron, cardiomyocyte, pancreatic beta cell, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), B-lymphocyte, lymphoblastoid cell, and/or fibroblast.

In some embodiments, the cell comprises a gene associated with a genetic condition comprising at least about 30 repeats, and in some instances at least about 50 repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence having 3 to 6 nucleotides. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a gene associated with a genetic condition comprising at least about 70 repeats of the oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a gene associated with a genetic condition comprising at least about 100 repeats of the oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a gene associated with a genetic condition comprising at least about 200 repeats of the oligonucleotide sequence.

In some embodiments, the cell comprises a frataxin (FXAN) gene including at least about 50 GAA repeats. In some embodiments, the cell comprises an FXN gene including at least about 70 GAA repeats. In some embodiments, the cell comprises an FXN gene including at least about 100 GAA repeats. In some embodiments, the cell comprises an FXN gene including at least about 200 GAA repeats.

In some embodiments, the frataxin mRNA levels are increased within about 6 hours hours after contacting the cell with any one or more of the agents shown in Section II. In some embodiments, the frataxin mRNA levels are increased within about 24 hours after contacting the cell with any one or more of the agents shown in Section II. In some embodiments, the frataxin mRNA levels are increased within about 2 days after contacting the cell with any one or more of the agents shown in Section II. In some embodiments, the frataxin mRNA levels are increased within about 3 days after contacting the cell with any one or more of the agents shown in Section II.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for treating Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering any one or more of the agents shown in Section II. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for increasing frataxin mRNA levels in the subject. In some embodiments, frataxin mRNA levels of the subject are increased relative to those in the subject prior to treatment. In some embodiments, the frataxin mRNA levels are increased by at least about 2.5-fold. In some embodiments, the frataxin mRNA levels are increased by at least about 4-fold. In some embodiments, the frataxin mRNA levels are increased by at least about 8-fold. In some embodiments, frataxin protein levels of the subject are increased relative to those in the subject prior to treatment.

In some embodiments, the treatment comprises ameliorating one or more symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia. In some embodiments the symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia comprise one or more of ataxia, gait ataxia, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, loss of balance, lack of reflexes in lower limbs, loss of tendon reflexes, loss of ability to feel vibrations in lower limbs, loss of sensation in the extremities, loss of upper body strength, weakness in the arms, spasticity, loss of tactile sensation, impairment of position sense, impaired perception of light touch, impaired perception of pain, impaired perception of temperature, vision impairment, color vision changes, involuntary eye movements, pes cavus, inversion of the feet, hearing impairment, dysarthria, dysphagia, impaired breathing, scoliosis, diabetes, glucose intolerance, carbohydrate intolerance, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac failure, elevated serum or plasma high sensitive troponin-T (hsTNT) (>14 ngiL), or reduced serum or plasma frataxin protein levels (≦19 ng/mL for pediatric and ≦21 ng/mL for adult patients).

In some embodiments, the subject is human.

In some embodiments, the agent is administered orally, topically, systemically, intravenously, subcutaneously, transdermally, iontophoretically, intranasally, intraperitoneally, or intramuscularly.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for treating Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising any one or more of the agents of Section II and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C are bar graphs illustrating the use of the agent of the present technology to increase frataxin levels in FRDA patient cells. FIG. 1A shows relative FXN mRNA levels produced in the GM15850 Friedreich's ataxia patient derived cell line following incubation for 24 hours with a control solution (0.1% DMSO), Control polyamide 3 (“3”), JQ1-(S), a mixture of Control polyamide 3 and JQ1-(S), Control conjugate 2 (“2”), and varying concentrations of Agent 4 (“4”). FIG. 1B shows relative FXN mRNA levels produced in a cell line that was derived from a clinically unaffected individual having two FXN alleles in the normal range of GAA trinucleotide repeats (GM15851) following incubation for 24 hours with a control solution (0.1% DMSO), Control polyamide 3 (“3”), JQ1-(S), a mixture of Control polyamide 3 and JQ1-(S), Control conjugate 2 (“2”), and varying concentrations of Agent 4 (“4”). FIG. 1C shows a side-by-side comparison of the data illustrated by FIGS. 1B and 1A.

FIG. 2 is a bar graph showing luciferase activity of treated reporter cell lines FXN-Luc and FXN-GAA-Luc treated with Agent 4 and various controls, including Polyamide 3 (“3”), JQ1, and Compound 109.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show immunoblots for FXN and α-tubulin (TUB) in GM15850 cells (FIG. 3A) or GM15851 cells (FIG. 3B) treated with varying concentrations of Control Conjugate 2 (“2”), Polyamide 3 (“3”), JQ1, or Agent 4 (“4”).

FIG. 4 is a chart showing relative RNA concentrations of GM15850 cells harvested after 24 hours of treatment with the described compounds.

FIG. 5 is an image of a PyMOL structure modeling the design of the linker of the present technology (PEG6). The PyMOL structure shows a polyamide bound to a nucleosome and JQ1-(S) bound to Brd4. The minimal distance between these structures is measured and the length of the linker is shown. Two different .pdb files were opened in the same window and brought together to illustrate the importance of -L in the design of the full molecule.

FIG. 6 is a bar graph showing relative frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels produced in lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from three FRDA patients (P1-P3) following incubation for 24 hours with 1 M Control polyamide 3 and unbound JQ1 (“3+JQ1”) or 1 M Agent 4 (“4”).

FIG. 7 is a bar graph showing relative frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels produced in primary samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from eleven FRDA patients (P1-P11) following incubation for 24 hours with 1 M Agent 4 (“4”).

FIG. 8 is a chart showing the results of an AlphaScreen™ assay of the binding of Control polyamide 3 (“3”), Agent 4 (“4”), Control polyamide 1 (“1”), Control polyamide 1 bound to JQ1 without a linker (“1-JQ1”), and unconjugated JQ1 (“JQ1-(S)”) to Bdr4.

FIGS. 9A-9C show ChIP-seq data plots of read density over the entire frataxin (FXN) gene body (FIG. 9D) for Brd4 (FIGS. 9A-9C) following incubation for 24 hours with a control solution (0.1% DMSO, FIG. 9A) or 1 M Control polyamide 3 and unbound JQ1 (“3+JQ1”, FIG. 9B) or 1 M Agent 4 (“4”, FIG. 9C).

FIGS. 10A-10C show ChIP-seq data plots of read density over the entire frataxin (FXN) gene body (FIG. 10D) for pSer2 (phosphorylated Ser2 of the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II) (FIGS. 10A-10C) following incubation for 24 hours with a control solution (0.1% DMSO, FIG. 10A) or 1 M Control polyamide 3 and unbound JQ1 (“3+JQ1”, FIG. 10B) or 1 M Agent 4 (“4”, FIG. 10C).

FIGS. 11A-11C show ChIP-seq data plots of read density over the entire frataxin (FXN) gene body (FIG. 11D) for pol2 (RNA polymerase II) (FIGS. 11A-11C) following incubation for 24 hours with a control solution (0.1% DMSO, FIG. 11A) or 1 M Control polyamide 3 and unbound JQ1 (“3+JQ1”, FIG. 11B) or 1 μM Agent 4 (“4”, FIG. 11C).

FIG. 12 is a schematic depicting a model transcription elongation stimulator.

FIG. 13 depicts a crystal structure showing (S)-JQ1 bound to Brd4 (Protein Data Bank accession 3MXF). The tert-butyl group, highlighted by an asterisk, projects out of the binding pocket of Brd4, indicating that chemical substitution at this position would likely be tolerated.

FIG. 14 is a schematic depicting examples of compounds (including controls) tested by the methods of the present technology to determine their ability to function as transcription elongation stimulators including Polyamide 1 (“1”) Control Conjugate 2 (“2”), Polyamide 3 (“3”) and Agent 4 (“4”).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for modulating the expression of genes which include repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 6 nucleotides, such as a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. Many embodiments of the methods are directed to modulating frataxin (FXN) gene expression, and for treating Friedreich's ataxia. Disclosed herein are agents having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a nucleic acid binding moiety, such as a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. Also disclosed herein are methods for increasing frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of one or more of the agents. Also disclosed herein are methods for increasing frataxin (FXN) protein levels in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of one or more of the agents. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the agents.

I. Friedreich's Ataxia

Friedreich's ataxia (FA or FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the FXN gene, which encodes the protein frataxin. Human frataxin is synthesized as a 210-amino acid precursor that is localized to the mitochondrion where the protein is subsequently cleaved to a mature 14 kDa protein (amino acid residues 81-210). FRDA is caused by a hyper-expansion of GAA repeats in the first intron of the FXN gene, resulting in transcriptional repression and insufficient expression of frataxin (FXN), a highly-conserved, iron-binding mitochondrial protein. Transcription is a multistep, highly-regulated process that is divided into three stages: initiation, elongation, and termination. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, recent evidence suggests that transcriptional elongation is the primary step affected by the pathological GAA expansion, with the expanded GAA repeats leading to the premature termination or pausing of FXNtranscription and, ultimately, decreased cellular frataxin protein levels. Accordingly, without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, FRDA may be characterized as a transcriptional pausing-based genetic disease caused by a defect in transcriptional elongation resulting in transcriptional repression and reduced expression of a gene (e.g., FXN). RNA polymerase-II initiates transcription of the repressed gene underlying the disease, but fails to elongate through the entire open reading frame of the gene to produce full-length pre-mRNA. Splicing is typically unaffected, thereby allowing for the production of normal full-length protein, albeit at reduced levels.

Friedreich's ataxia is the most common hereditary ataxia and causes progressive damage to the nervous system, particularly sensory neurons. Although frataxin is ubiquitously expressed, certain cells (e.g., dorsal root ganglia neurons, cardiomyocytes, and pancreatic beta cells) are particularly sensitive to frataxin depletion, and the resulting degenerative loss of these cells accounts for the clinical manifestations of FRDA. FRDA patients develop neurodegeneration of the large sensory neurons and spinocerebellar tracts, as well as cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus. Clinical symptoms of FRDA include ataxia, gait ataxia, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, loss of balance, lack of reflexes in lower limbs, loss of tendon reflexes, loss of ability to feel vibrations in lower limbs, loss of sensation in the extremities, loss of upper body strength, weakness in the arms, spasticity, loss of tactile sensation, impairment of position sense, impaired perception of light touch, impaired perception of pain, impaired perception of temperature, vision impairment, color vision changes, involuntary eye movements, pes cavus, inversion of the feet, hearing impairment, dysarthria, dysphagia, impaired breathing, scoliosis, diabetes, glucose intolerance, carbohydrate intolerance, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac failure, elevated serum or plasma high sensitive troponin-T (hsTNT) (>14 ng/L), and reduced serum or plasma frataxin protein levels (≦19 ng/mL for pediatric and ≦21 ng/mL for adult patients).

There is an inverse correlation between the number of GAA repeats and FXN protein levels, and there is a tight correlation between frataxin protein levels and the severity of disease. That is, lower frataxin protein levels correlate with greater numbers of GAA repeats and disease severity. FRDA patients exhibiting clinical symptoms have frataxin protein levels that are between 5% and 35% those of healthy individuals. Asymptomatic heterozygous carriers have frataxin mRNA and protein levels that are about 40-50% those of healthy individuals. Most FRDA patients (approximately 98%) carry a homozygous mutation in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene comprising an expansion of a GAA trinucleotide repeat. Pathological GAA expansions can range from about 66 to more than 1,000 trinucleotide repeats, whereas frataxin alleles that are not associated with disease comprise from about 6 to about 34 repeats. Very rare cases of FRDA (about 4%) are characterized by an expansion of a GAA trinucleotide repeat present in one allele and a deleterious point mutation in the other allele. It is generally understood that longer GAA trinucleotide repeats are associated with greater deficiency of frataxin and earlier onset and increased severity of disease. Partially restoring frataxin in affected cells may slow or prevent disease progression.

Diagnosis

FRDA is diagnosed by assessing clinical criteria and/or performing genetic testing (Wood, N. W., Arch. Dis. Child., 78:204-207 (1998)). The patient's medical history is evaluated and a physical examination performed. Key to diagnosing FRDA is the recognition of hallmark symptoms, including balance difficulty, loss of joint sensation, absence of reflexes, and signs of neurological problems. In addition, genetic testing can provide a conclusive diagnosis of FRDA.

Clinical Criteria.

Strict clinical criteria have been developed that are widely used in the diagnosis of FRDA (Harding, A. E., Brain, 104:589-620 (1981)). Diagnostic criteria include an age of onset before 25 years of age, as well as presence of the following symptoms: progressive ataxia of gait and limbs, absence of knee and ankle jerks, axonal picture on neurophysiology, and dysarthria (if after five years from onset). In over 66% of individuals with FRDA, the following symptoms are present: scoliosis, pyramidal weakness in lower limbs, absence of reflexes in arms, large fibre sensory loss on examination, and abnormal ECG. In less than 50% of individuals having FRDA, the following symptoms are present: nystagmus, optic atrophy, deafness, distal amyotrophy, pes cavus, and diabetes. However, some cases of FRDA present atypically. For example, onset of FRDA may occur over the age of 20 years in some patients. Moreover, some patients retain tendon reflexes.

Core features of pyramidal tract involvement include the association of extensor plantar responses, absence of ankle reflexes, and a progressive course of disease. Pyramidal weakness in lower limbs can lead to paralysis. Skeletal abnormalities are common in FRDA. For example, scoliosis is present in approximately 85% of FRDA patients. Foot abnormalities may be present, including pes cavus and, less frequently, pes planus and equinovarus. Amyotrophy of the lower legs may occur. Optic atrophy is present in about 25% of FRDA cases, while major visual impairment occurs in less than 5% of cases. Deafness is present in less than 10% of FRDA cases. Blood sugar analysis is also performed, as diabetes is seen in approximately 10% of FRDA patients. About 20% of FRDA patients develop carbohydrate intolerance.

A prominent non-neurological feature of FRDA is cardiomyopathy, which may initially present as the sole symptom of disease. An electrocardiogram (ECG) may be performed to assess electrical and muscular functions of the heart. Approximately 65% of FRDA patients present with an abnormal ECG, having widespread T wave inversion in the inferolateral chest leads. The most frequent echocardiographic abnormality in FRDA patients is concentric ventricular hypertrophy. Heart failure typically occurs late in disease progression, often accounting for premature death in FRDA patients.

Within a few years after onset of FRDA, the patient presents with dysarthria and pyramidal weakness, and subsequent nystagmus, which is characterized by involuntary repetitive and jerky eye movements. Within about 10-15 years after onset of disease, the patient becomes wheelchair bound.

Additional tests typically employed to assess FRDA patients include electromyogram (EMG) to measure electrical activity of muscle cells, nerve conduction studies to measure nerve impulse transmission speed, echocardiogram to record the position and motion of heart muscle, and blood tests to determine if the patient has vitamin E deficiency. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans provide brain and spinal cord images that can be useful to rule out other neurological conditions.

Genetic Testing.

FRDA is a neurological disorder caused by mutations in the frataxin (FXN) gene, having a cytogenetic location of 9q21.11. DNA-based testing is one method that is used to diagnose FRDA. Homozygosity for a GAA repeat expansion in intron 1 of FXN indicates FRDA. Rarely, patients will present as heterozygous for an allele having a GAA repeat expansion and an allele having a point mutation in FXN.

FRDA Biomarkers

Frataxin Protein Levels.

Frataxin protein levels may be measured to diagnose and monitor treatment efficacy in FRDA patients. This also permits multiplexing with other disease analytes and population screening. In this approach, frataxin protein levels may be measured by a high-throughput immunoassay. Tests can be performed employing whole blood samples or dried blood spots to measure frataxin protein. For whole blood samples, frataxin levels that are ≦19 ng/mL for pediatric individuals (less than 18 years of age) and ≦21 ng/mL for adults (18 years of age or older) are consistent with a diagnosis of FRDA. Frataxin levels that are ≧19 ng/mL for pediatric individuals and ≧21 ng/mL for adults measured using whole blood samples are not consistent with FRDA. For dried blood spot samples, frataxin levels that are ≦15 ng/mL for pediatric individuals (less than 18 years of age) and ≦21 ng/mL for adults are not consistent with FRDA. Frataxin levels that are ≧15 ng/mL for pediatric individuals and ≧21 ng/mL for adults measured using dried blood samples are not consistent with FRDA.

High Sensitive Troponin-T.

High sensitive Troponin-T (hsTNT) may be useful as a blood biomarker to indicate cumulative myocyte damage leading to fibrosis in FRDA patients (Weidemann, et al., Intl. J. Cardiol., 194:50-57 (2015)). Troponin T is a myofibrillar protein that is present in striated musculature. There are two types of myofilaments, a thick myosin-containing filament and a thin filament consisting of actin, tropomyosin, and troponin. Troponin is a complex of 3 protein subunits: troponin T, troponin I, and troponin C. Troponin T functions to bind the troponin complex to tropomyosin.

In the cytosol, troponin T is present in soluble and protein-bound forms. The soluble or unbound pool of troponin T is released in early stages of myocardial damage. Bound troponin T is released from myofilaments at a later stage of irreversible myocardial damage, corresponding with degradation of myofibrils. The most common cause of cardiac injury is myocardial ischemia (i.e., acute myocardial infarction). Troponin T levels increase approximately 2 to 4 hours after the onset of myocardial necrosis, and can remain elevated for up to 14 days.

Myocardial fibrosis and disease progression appear to correlate strongly with hsTNT levels in FRDA patients. The cutoff point for the hsTNT levels is 14 ng/L (0.014 ng/mL) (ELECSYS® Troponin T hs (TnT-hs), which is available from Roche). Elevated serum or plasma hsTNT levels >14 ng/L (0.014 ng/mL) are seen in FRDA patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (CM). Elevated hsTNT levels may indicate cumulative myocyte damage leading to fibrosis in FRDA.

II. Agents for the Modulation of Frataxin Expression

The present technology discloses an agent of the formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a nucleic acid binding moiety.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) specifically binds to a target oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) specifically binds to one or more repeats of a short oligonucleotide sequence such as a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) is a polyamide. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 6 nucleotides, such as a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) comprises an oligonucleotide sequence (e.g., containing about 15 to 30 nucleotides) that is complementary to a desired target oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence or to one or more repeats of a TTC oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence, a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence, or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) sequence capable of hybridizing to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence or to one or more repeats of a TTC oligonucleotide sequence. For example, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of one or more repeats of a TTC sequence, including, but not limited to, TTCTTCTTC, TTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 2), TTCTTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 3), TTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 4), and TTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 5). In another example, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of one or more repeats of a GAA sequence, including, but not limited to, GAAGAAGAA, GAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 6), GAAGAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 7), GAAGAAGAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 8), and GAAGAAGAAGAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 9). In another example, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of one or more repeats of a CUU sequence, including, but not limited to, CUUCUUCUU, CUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 10), CUUCUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 11), CUUCUUCUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 12), and CUUCUUCUUCUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 13).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of 1 to 10, 1 to 15, 1 to 20, 1 to 25, 1 to 30, 1 to 35, 1 to 40, 1 to 45, 1 to 50, 1 to 55, 1 to 60, 1 to 65, 1 to 70, 1 to 75, 1 to 80, 1 to 85, 1 to 90, 1 to 95, 1 to 100, 1 to 150, 1 to 200, 1 to 250, 1 to 300, 1 to 350, 1 to 400, 1 to 450, 1 to 500, 1 to 550, 1 to 600, 1 to 650, 1 to 700, 1 to 750, 1 to 800, 1 to 850, 1 to 900, 1 to 950, or 1 to 1000 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 10 repeats of a TTC sequence (e.g., 15 to 30 nucleotide bases in length). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 6 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 7 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 8 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 9 repeats of a TTC sequence.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of 1 to 10, 1 to 15, 1 to 20, 1 to 25, 1 to 30, 1 to 35, 1 to 40, 1 to 45, 1 to 50, 1 to 55, 1 to 60, 1 to 65, 1 to 70, 1 to 75, 1 to 80, 1 to 85, 1 to 90, 1 to 95, 1 to 100, 1 to 150, 1 to 200, 1 to 250, 1 to 300, 1 to 350, 1 to 400, 1 to 450, 1 to 500, 1 to 550, 1 to 600, 1 to 650, 1 to 700, 1 to 750, 1 to 800, 1 to 850, 1 to 900, 1 to 950, or 1 to 1000 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 10 repeats of a GAA sequence (e.g., 15 to 30 nucleotide bases in length). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 6 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 7 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 8 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 9 repeats of a GAA sequence.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of 1 to 10, 1 to 15, 1 to 20, 1 to 25, 1 to 30, 1 to 35, 1 to 40, 1 to 45, 1 to 50, 1 to 55, 1 to 60, 1 to 65, 1 to 70, 1 to 75, 1 to 80, 1 to 85, 1 to 90, 1 to 95, 1 to 100, 1 to 150, 1 to 200, 1 to 250, 1 to 300, 1 to 350, 1 to 400, 1 to 450, 1 to 500, 1 to 550, 1 to 600, 1 to 650, 1 to 700, 1 to 750, 1 to 800, 1 to 850, 1 to 900, 1 to 950, or 1 to 1000 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 10 repeats of a CUU sequence (e.g., 15 to 30 nucleotide bases in length). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 6 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 7 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 8 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 9 repeats of a CUU sequence.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) comprises a repeat-targeted duplex RNA, such as an anti-GAA duplex RNA that specifically targets GAA repeats. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) comprises single-stranded locked nucleic acids (LNAs), such as anti-GAA LNA oligomers that specifically target GAA repeats.

The A- subunit is typically a triazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety, such as a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety.

The A- subunit and the -B subunit are commonly joined together by a linker -L- that has a chain having at least 10 contiguous atoms, and commonly at least about 15 contiguous atoms in the backbone chain of the linker. In some embodiments, the linker -L- may desirably have a backbone chain that includes no more than about 50 contiguous atoms in the backbone of the linker, often no more than about 40 contiguous atoms, and in many instances no more than about 30 contiguous atoms in the backbone chain of the linker. It is quite common for the linker -L- to have a backbone chain that includes about 15 to 25 contiguous atoms in the backbone of the linker.

In one aspect, A- is a triazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety. In some embodiments A- is a triazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety which may have a formula:

wherein J is N, O or CR¹¹; K is N, O or CR¹¹; with the proviso that J and K cannot both be —O—; P is N, except when one of J or K is O, then P is C; R¹ may be a hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, halogenated alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or —COOR⁴; wherein R⁴ may be a hydrogen, optionally substituted aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or cycloalkylalkyl group optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms; R² may be an optionally substituted aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aralkyl group; R³ may be a hydrogen, halogen, or optionally substituted alkyl group (e.g., —(CH₂)_(b)—C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²¹), —(CH₂)_(b)—N(R²⁰)C(O)(R²¹), or halogenated alkyl group, wherein b may be an integer from 1 to 10, and R²⁰ and R²¹ may independently be a hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl group (typically R²⁰ may be a hydrogen and R²¹ may be a methyl)); R¹¹ may be a hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group; and Ring E may be an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl ring. In some embodiments, J may be N or CR¹¹. In some embodiments, P is N and J may be CR¹¹, where R¹¹ may be —CH₃. In some embodiments, both P and J may be N.

In some embodiments A- is a Brd4 binding moiety having a formula:

wherein R¹ may be a hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, halogenated alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or —COOR⁴; wherein R⁴ may be a hydrogen, or optionally substituted aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or cycloalkylalkyl group optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms; R² may be an optionally substituted aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aralkyl group; R³ may be a hydrogen, halogen, or optionally substituted alkyl group (e.g., —(CH₂)_(x)—C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²¹), —(CH₂)—N(R²⁰)C(O)(R²¹), or halogenated alkyl group, wherein x may be an integer from 1 to 10, and R²⁰ and R²¹ may independently be a hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl group (typically R²⁰ may be a hydrogen and R²¹ may be a methyl)); and Ring E may be an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group. In some embodiments, x may be an integer from 1 to 6. In some embodiments, x may be an integer from 1 to 3.

In some embodiments, A- is a Brd4 binding moiety having a formula:

wherein x, R¹, R², R³, and Ring E are as defined herein.

In some embodiments, A- is a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety. In some embodiments A- is a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety which may have a formula:

wherein R² may be an aryl group optionally substituted with halogen, —OR⁶, —SR⁶, —N(R⁶)₂, —N(R⁶)COR⁹, or one or more optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, or amido groups, wherein R⁶ and R⁹ may independently be a hydrogen or alkyl group; R¹ and R³ may independently be a hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl group; and R⁵ and R⁷ may independently be a hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogen, —OH, —SH, or —NH₂. In some embodiments, R² may be a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more alkyl, cyano, halogenated alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, and/or halogen substituents. In some embodiments, R² may be a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogenated alkyl groups. In some embodiments, R² may be a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogens. In some embodiments, R² may be a phenyl group substituted with one, two, three, four or five halogens.

In some embodiments, A- is a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety having a formula:

wherein x, R¹, R², R³, R⁵, and R⁷ are as defined herein.

In some embodiments A- is a Brd4 binding moiety having a formula:

wherein R³ may be a hydrogen or optionally substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl group; R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or halomethyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl); and R⁸ may be a halogen, optionally substituted aryl, amino, or amido group. In some embodiments, R³ may be a hydrogen or —CH₃. In some embodiments, R³ may be —CH₃. In some embodiments, R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or trifluoromethyl. In some embodiments, R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each methyl or ethyl. In some embodiments, R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each ethyl. In some embodiments, R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each methyl. In some embodiments, R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each independently hydrogen. In some embodiments, R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each independently trifluoromethyl. In some embodiments, R³ may be hydrogen or —CH₃; R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ may be methyl; and R⁸ may be chloro. In some embodiments, R³ may be hydrogen; R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ may be methyl; and R⁸ may be chloro. In some embodiments, R¹ may be a hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or halomethyl. In some embodiments, R¹ may be a trifluoromethyl.

In some embodiments, R⁸ may be a halogen. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be —Cl. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be —F. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more cyano and/or alkoxy groups. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be a phenyl group substituted with a cyano group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be a phenyl group substituted with a methoxy group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an optionally substituted amino group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amino group substituted with an optionally substituted phenyl, benzyl, or heteroaryl group and/or alkyl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amino group substituted with a phenyl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amino group substituted with a halogenated phenyl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amino group substituted with a methyl and a halogenated phenyl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amino group substituted with a heteroaryl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amino group substituted with a pyridyl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amino group substituted with a benzyl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amido group substituted with an alkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amido group substituted with an aralkyl group. In some embodiments, R⁸ may be an amido group substituted with —(CH₂)_(r)-phenyl group, wherein t is an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments, t may be 1 or 2.

In some embodiments A- is a Brd4 binding moiety having a formula:

wherein x, R¹, R³, R⁵, R⁷, and R⁸ are as defined herein.

In some embodiments A- is a Brd4 binding moiety having a formula:

wherein x is as defined herein.

In some embodiments, -B may comprise one or more of the following subunits:

in which Z is typically hydrogen, amino, or an amido group.

In some embodiments, the one or more repeats may be GAA. In some embodiments, -B may specifically bind to a one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, -B may include -X-(β-Py-Im)_(n)-β-Py-TRM; where X is -β-Im-, -β-Py-, -β-, or a bond; n is 1-10; and -TRM is -ImT or -CTh; with the proviso that one of the -β-Py-Im- trimers may be replaced by a -β-Im-Im- trimer. In some embodiments, -B may include -X-(β-Py-Im)_(n)-β-Py-ImT); wherein: X is -β-Im-, -β-Py-, -β-, or a bond; Z is hydrogen, amino, or amido group; and n is 0 to 10; with the proviso that when n is at least 1, one of the -β-Py-Im- trimers may be replaced by a -β-Im-Im- trimer.

In some embodiments, Z may be —NR^(B)R^(B) or -N+R^(A)R^(B)R^(B); wherein R^(A) may be hydrogen; and R^(B) may be a hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkenyl, or C₁-C₆ alkynyl group. In some embodiments, Z may be —N(R^(A))C(O)R^(B); wherein R^(A) may be hydrogen; and R^(B) may be a hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkenyl, or C₁-C₆ alkynyl group. In some embodiments, R^(B) may be hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl group. In some embodiments, R^(B) may be hydrogen or —CH₃. In certain embodiments, Z may be —NH₂. In certain embodiments, Z may be —NH₃ ⁺. In certain embodiments, Z may be hydrogen.

In some embodiments, n may be an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments, n may be 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, n may be 1 or 2. In some embodiments, n may be 1 or 2 and none of the -β-Py-Im- trimers are replaced by a -β-Im-Im- trimer. In some embodiments, n may be 1 or 2 and one of the -β-Py-Im- trimers is replaced by a -β-Im-Im-trimer.

In some embodiments, -B may be -(β-Py-Im)_(n)-(β-Py-ImT); wherein Z may be hydrogen or NH₃ ⁺ and n may be 1 or 2.

In some embodiments, -B may include -β-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, and/or -β-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT; in which Z may be hydrogen. In some embodiments, -B may include -β-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Im-Im-β-Py-ImT, and/or -β-Im-β-Im-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT; in which Z may be hydrogen. In some embodiments, -B may include -β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-CTh and/or -β-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-Py-Im-β-Py-CTh.

In some embodiments -L- may be a covalent linking group. In some embodiments -L- may be a linker having a contiguous backbone chain which includes at least about 10 atoms. In some embodiments, -L- may have a contiguous backbone chain that includes about 15 to 250 atoms. In some embodiments, -L- may be a combination of one or more optionally substituted arylene, aralkylene, cycloalkylene, heteroarylene, heteroaralkylene, heterocycloalkylene, alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, or cycloalkylalkylene, optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, amido, or carboxyl groups. In some embodiments, -L- may include a combination of one or more linking moieties selected from the group consisting of —O—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂CH₂O)_(y)—, —(OCH₂CH₂)_(y)—C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(O)—, —C(O)—, —NR*—, and

wherein R′ and R* are each independently a hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; and x and y are each independently an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments, R′ may be a hydrogen and R* may be —CH₃.

In some embodiments, -L- may include —(CH₂)_(x)—C(O)N(R′)—(CH₂)_(Q)—N(R*)—(CH₂)_(Q)—N(R′)C(O)—(CH₂)—C(O)N(R′)—, —(CH₂)—C(O)N(R′)—(CH₂CH₂O), —(CH₂)_(x)—C(O)N(R′)—, —C(O)N(R′)—(CH₂)_(Q)—N(R*)—(CH₂)_(Q)—N(R′)C(O)—(CH₂)—, —(CH₂)—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(y)—(CH₂)_(x)—N(R′)C(O)—(CH₂)—, or —N(R′)C(O)—(CH₂)_(x)—C(O)N(R′)—(CH₂)—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(y)—(CH₂)_(x)—, wherein R* may be methyl, R′ may be hydrogen, Q may be an integer from 2 to 10, and x and y may independently be an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments, R′ may be a hydrogen; R* may be —CH₃; x and y may independently be an integer from 1 to 3; and Q may be 2 or 3.

In some embodiments, -L- may include one or more linking moieties selected from (Gly-Ser-Gly)_(V) (SEQ ID NO: 14) and (Gly-Gly-Ser)_(W) (SEQ ID NO: 15), where v and w are typically an integer from 1 to about 10.

In one aspect, the present technology discloses an agent having a formula A-L-B, wherein L is a linker having a backbone chain which may include at least 10 atoms; -B is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence; and A- is a Brd4 binding moiety, such as a triazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety having a structure:

wherein R³ and R¹⁰ may independently be a hydrogen, halogen, or optionally substituted alkyl group (e.g., —(CH₂)_(x)—C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²¹), —(CH₂)_(x)—N(R²⁰)C(O)(R²¹), or halogenated alkyl group, wherein R²⁰ and R²¹ may independently be a hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl group (typically R²⁰ may be a hydrogen and R²¹ may be a methyl), and x is as defined herein); R¹ may be a hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or —COOR⁴; wherein R⁴ may be a hydrogen, optionally substituted aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or cycloalkylalkyl group optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms; and Ring E may be an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group. In some embodiments, R¹ may be a hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or halogenated alkyl group. In some embodiments, R¹ may be a hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or halomethyl. In some embodiments, R¹ may be a trifluoromethyl.

In some embodiments, R³ and R¹⁰ may independently be a hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl. In some embodiments, R³ and R¹⁰ may independently be hydrogen or optionally substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl group. In some embodiments, R³ and R¹⁰ may independently be a —(CH₂)_(x)—C(O)N(R′)R″, wherein R′ and R″ are each independently a hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl and x is an integer from 1 to 10. In some embodiments, R′ is a hydrogen. In some embodiment R″ is a —CH₃. In some embodiments, A- is a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety. In some embodiment, -L- is a linker as defined herein and -B is a polyamide as defined herein

III. Methods for the Modulation of Frataxin Expression

The present technology relates to methods and compositions for modulating frataxin (FXN) gene expression. In particular, the methods and compositions relate to the use of one or more agents to stimulate FXN transcription.

In one aspect, the methods and compositions of the present technology relate to agents having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a nucleic acid binding moiety and the use of one or more of these agents to stimulate FXN transcription. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) specifically binds to a target oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) specifically binds to one or more repeats of a short oligonucleotide sequence such as a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) is a polyamide. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 6 nucleotides, such as a GAA oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) comprises an oligonucleotide sequence (e.g., containing about 15 to 30 nucleotides) that is complementary to a desired target oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence or to one or more repeats of a TTC oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence, a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence, or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) sequence capable of hybridizing to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence or to one or more repeats of a TTC oligonucleotide sequence. For example, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of one or more repeats of a TTC sequence, including, but not limited to, TTCTTCTTC, TTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 2), TTCTTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 3), TTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 4), and TTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 5). In another example, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of one or more repeats of a GAA sequence, including, but not limited to, GAAGAAGAA, GAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 6), GAAGAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 7), GAAGAAGAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 8), and GAAGAAGAAGAAGAAGAAGAA (SEQ ID NO: 9). In another example, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of one or more repeats of a CUU sequence, including, but not limited to, CUUCUUCUU, CUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 10), CUUCUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 11), CUUCUUCUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 12), and CUUCUUCUUCUUCUUCUUCUU (SEQ ID NO: 13).

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of 1 to 10, 1 to 15, 1 to 20, 1 to 25, 1 to 30, 1 to 35, 1 to 40, 1 to 45, 1 to 50, 1 to 55, 1 to 60, 1 to 65, 1 to 70, 1 to 75, 1 to 80, 1 to 85, 1 to 90, 1 to 95, 1 to 100, 1 to 150, 1 to 200, 1 to 250, 1 to 300, 1 to 350, 1 to 400, 1 to 450, 1 to 500, 1 to 550, 1 to 600, 1 to 650, 1 to 700, 1 to 750, 1 to 800, 1 to 850, 1 to 900, 1 to 950, or 1 to 1000 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 10 repeats of a TTC sequence (e.g., 15 to 30 base pairs in length). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 10 repeats of a TTC sequence (e.g., 15 to 30 nucleotide bases in length). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 6 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 7 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 8 repeats of a TTC sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 9 repeats of a TTC sequence.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of 1 to 10, 1 to 15, 1 to 20, 1 to 25, 1 to 30, 1 to 35, 1 to 40, 1 to 45, 1 to 50, 1 to 55, 1 to 60, 1 to 65, 1 to 70, 1 to 75, 1 to 80, 1 to 85, 1 to 90, 1 to 95, 1 to 100, 1 to 150, 1 to 200, 1 to 250, 1 to 300, 1 to 350, 1 to 400, 1 to 450, 1 to 500, 1 to 550, 1 to 600, 1 to 650, 1 to 700, 1 to 750, 1 to 800, 1 to 850, 1 to 900, 1 to 950, or 1 to 1000 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 10 repeats of a GAA sequence (e.g., 15 to 30 base pairs in length). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 6 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 7 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 8 repeats of a GAA sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a DNA sequence of 5 to 9 repeats of a GAA sequence.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of 1 to 10, 1 to 15, 1 to 20, 1 to 25, 1 to 30, 1 to 35, 1 to 40, 1 to 45, 1 to 50, 1 to 55, 1 to 60, 1 to 65, 1 to 70, 1 to 75, 1 to 80, 1 to 85, 1 to 90, 1 to 95, 1 to 100, 1 to 150, 1 to 200, 1 to 250, 1 to 300, 1 to 350, 1 to 400, 1 to 450, 1 to 500, 1 to 550, 1 to 600, 1 to 650, 1 to 700, 1 to 750, 1 to 800, 1 to 850, 1 to 900, 1 to 950, or 1 to 1000 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 10 repeats of a CUU sequence (e.g., 15 to 30 nucleotide bases in length). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 6 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 7 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 8 repeats of a CUU sequence. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) may be an RNA sequence of 5 to 9 repeats of a CUU sequence.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) comprises a repeat-targeted duplex RNA, such as an anti-GAA duplex RNA that specifically targets GAA repeats. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid binding moiety (-B) comprises single-stranded locked nucleic acids (LNAs), such as anti-GAA LNA oligomers that specifically target GAA repeats.

In some embodiments, the present technology relates to methods and compositions for preventing or treating Friedreich's ataxia in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology increase the level of frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in a cell. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology increase frataxin protein levels in a cell. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology prevent one or more signs or symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology reduce the likelihood that a subject with risk factors for Friedreich's ataxia will develop one or more signs or symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia, or will delay the onset of Friedreich's ataxia.

As described in more detail below, the agents disclosed herein combine a nucleic acid binding moiety, such as a DNA-binding polyamide subunit (-B) that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence, with a linker (-L-) and a Brd4 binding moiety (A-). In some embodiments, the Brd4 binding moiety has a structure related to a bromodomain inhibitor (e.g., JQ1). Though not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, as depicted by the model transcription elongation stimulator in FIG. 12, it is believed that the polyamide-JQ1 conjugate binds selectively to one or more repeats in an oligonucleotide sequence (e.g., one or more GAA trinucleotide repeats), and through the interaction of JQ1 with Brd4, recruits the super elongation complex (SEC) to stimulate and restart the paused RNA polymerase-II (Pol II) transcription complex, thereby resulting in transcription of frataxin (FXN) mRNA.

JQ1 is one example of a selective small-molecule bromodomain inhibitor. Specifically, JQ1 is a thieno-triazolo-1,4-diazepine that displaces bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family members (e.g., Brd4) from chromatin by competitively binding to the acetyl-lysine recognition pocket. (Delmore, et al., Cell, 146(6):904-917 (2011)). Delmore, et al. have shown that Brd4 is strongly enriched at immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) enhancers in MM cells bearing IgH rearrangement at the MYC locus and that JQ1 depletes enhancer-bound Brd4 and inhibits MYC transcription in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, JQ1 has been shown to bind and displace BRD4 from chromatin thereby inhibiting transcription of Brd4-dependent genes. (See Filippakopoulos, et al. Nature 468: 1067-1073). Accordingly, previous studies have established a role for JQ1 and related structures in binding Brd4 to inhibit transcription. FIG. 13 depicts a crystal structure showing (S)-JQ1 bound to Brd4 (Protein Data Bank accession 3MXF). The tert-butyl group, highlighted by an asterisk, projects out of the binding pocket of Brd4, indicating that chemical substitution at this position would likely be tolerated.

Examples of compounds (including controls) tested by the methods of the present technology to determine their ability to function as transcription elongation stimulators include Polyamide 1 (“1”) Control Conjugate 2 (“2”), Polyamide 3 (“3”) and Agent 4 (“4”), as depicted in FIG. 14.

Brd4 has been reported to play a role in mediating transcriptional elongation, functioning to recruit the positive transcription elongation factor (P-TEFb), which plays an essential role in the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase-II (Pol II). In humans, there are multiple forms of P-TEFb, which contain the catalytic subunit, Cdk9, and together with several other cyclin subunits associate with Brd4 to form a complex of proteins called the super elongation complex (SEC). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that recruitment of this complex facilitates the transition of promoter-proximal paused PolII into productive elongation.

Engineered polyamides have been shown to bind DNA with high affinity. For example, pyrrole-imidazole polyamides are cell-permeable small molecules that can be designed to bind a variety of DNA sequences. (Burnett et al. PNAS 103(31):11497-11502). Previous studies have reported that DNA sequence-specific polyamides that bind GAA trinucleotide repeats lead to an approximate 3-fold increase in transcription of frataxin in cell culture when provided at a concentration of 2 μM for 7 days (polyamide replenished on days 3 and 5). However, no significant changes in frataxin mRNA levels were observed with shorter incubation times. (Burnett et al.).

By contrast, the methods disclosed herein allow for the activation of FXN in a Friedreich's ataxia cell line with as little as a 100 nM concentration of the agents of the present technology after only 24 hours. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the agents of the present technology, which comprise JQ1, a general transcription inhibitor, potently activate FXN to produce a greater than 4-fold increase in mRNA levels when administered to FRDA cells at a concentration of 500 nM after only 24 hours. This approximate 4-fold increase returns mRNA levels to those typically present in asymptomatic heterozygotes. Also, as shown in FIG. 1A, the agents of the present technology activate FXN to produce a greater than 8-fold increase in mRNA levels when administered to FRDA cells at a concentration of 1 μM after only 24 hours, thereby returning FXN mRNA to near-wild-type levels (See FIG. 1C). The ability to activate FXN mRNA production with relatively low concentrations of the agents of the present technology may be particularly advantageous in the clinical setting.

The methods disclosed herein can be used to stimulate FXN mRNA transcription by culturing the cells under cell-type specific conditions known in the art and contacting cells with an effective amount of one or more of the agents of the present technology according to any method known to those in the art for contacting a cell. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, dorsal root ganglion neurons are used. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, cardiomyocytes are used. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, pancreatic beta cells are used. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are used. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, B-lymphocytes are used. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, lymphoblastoid cell lines are used. In some embodiments of the methods disclosed herein, fibroblasts are used. In some embodiments, the cells are derived from a patient subject.

In some embodiments, the agent is provided at a level sufficient to bind at least 2, 3, or more repeats of the oligonucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, of the methods disclosed herein, the cells are contacted with one or more agents of the present technology at a concentration of about 10 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 50 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 100 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 200 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 300 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 400 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 500 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 600 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 700 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 800 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 900 nM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 1 μM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 2 μM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 3 μM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 4 μM. In some embodiments, the cells are contacted with one or more agents at a concentration of about 5 μM.

In some embodiments, of the methods disclosed herein, the cells are harvested for subsequent measurement of mRNA and/or protein levels at about 6 hours after having been contacted with one or more doses of the agents of the present technology. In some embodiments, of the methods disclosed herein, the cells are harvested for subsequent measurement of mRNA and/or protein levels at about 12 hours after having been contacted with one or more doses of the agents of the present technology. In some embodiments, of the methods disclosed herein, the cells are harvested for subsequent measurement of frataxin mRNA and/or protein levels at about 24 hours after having been contacted with one or more doses of the agents of the present technology. In some embodiments, the cells are harvested at about 2 days after having been contacted with one or more doses of the agents of the present technology. In some embodiments, the cells are harvested at about 3 days after having been contacted with one or more doses of the agents of the present technology. In some embodiments, the cells are harvested at about 4 days after having been contacted with one or more doses of the agents of the present technology. In some embodiments, the cells are harvested at about 5 days or more after having been contacted with one or more doses of the agents of the present technology.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for modulating transcription of a gene that includes multiple repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence containing 3 to 6 nucleotides, such as a GAA oligonucleotide repeat expansion. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the modulation of transcription is effected by contacting the gene with an agent of the present technology having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of the oligonucleotide sequence, thereby modulating the transcription of the gene. In some embodiments, the gene is a frataxin (FXN) gene. In some embodiments, the number of repeats in the oligonucleotide expansion is greater than 50, greater than 70, greater than 100, or in a range of 66-1700.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for increasing frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of any one or more of the agents described in Section II.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for increasing frataxin (FXN) protein levels in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of any one or more of the agents described in Section II.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for treating a genetic condition associated with a gene comprising a plurality of repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of any one or more of the agents described in Section II. In some embodiments, the disease is Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA).

In some embodiments of the present method, the cell may include a fusion gene including at least about 30 GAA repeats, a sequence encoding a functional frataxin polypeptide sequence connected to a heterologous polypeptide sequence (e.g., a full length frataxin (FXN) gene or nucleotide sequence encoding a functional frataxin polypeptide fused to the heterologous polypeptide sequence). The cell may include a reporter gene fused to the 3′-end of the frataxin (FXN) gene or to the 3′-end of a sequence encoding a functional frataxin polypeptide sequence. As used herein, the term “functional frataxin polypeptide” refers to polypeptides including at least amino acid residues 81-210 of human frataxin. In some embodiments, the reporter gene comprises a luminescence-based reporter gene. In some embodiments the luminescence-based reporter gene is a luciferase reporter gene, e.g., a gene encoding firefly luciferase, Renilla luciferase, or the like. In other embodiments, the reporter gene may be a gene for a selectable marker, e.g., an antibiotic resistance gene.

IV. Modes of Administration and Pharmaceutical Compositions

Any method known to those in the art for contacting a cell, organ, or tissue with compositions such as the agents of the present technology, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, may be employed. Suitable methods include in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo methods.

In vitro methods typically include cultured samples. For example, a cell can be placed in a reservoir (e.g., tissue culture plate), and incubated with an agent under appropriate conditions suitable for obtaining the desired result. Suitable incubation conditions can be readily determined by those skilled in the art.

Ex vivo methods typically include cells, organs, or tissues removed from a mammal, such as a human. The cells, organs or tissues can, for example, be incubated with the agent under appropriate conditions. The contacted cells, organs, or tissues are typically returned to the donor, placed in a recipient, or stored for future use. Thus, the compound is generally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In vivo methods typically include the administration of an agent such as those described herein, to a mammal such as a human. When used in vivo for therapy, an agent of the present technology is administered to a mammal in an amount effective in obtaining the desired result or treating the mammal.

An effective amount of an agent of the present technology useful in the present methods, such as in a pharmaceutical composition or medicament, may be administered to a mammal in need thereof by any of a number of well-known methods for administering pharmaceutical compositions or medicaments. The agents of the present technology may be administered systemically or locally.

The agents of the present technology may be formulated as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means a salt prepared from a base or an acid which is acceptable for administration to a patient, such as a mammal (e.g., salts having acceptable mammalian safety for a given dosage regimen).

The agents of the present technology described herein can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions for administration, singly or in combination, to a subject for the treatment or prevention of Freidreich's ataxia. Such compositions typically include the active agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes saline, solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

Pharmaceutical compositions are typically formulated to be compatible with the intended route of administration. Routes of administration include, for example, parenteral (e.g., intravenous, intradermal, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous), oral, respiratory (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), and transmucosal administration. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates, and agents for the adjustment of tonicity, such as sodium chloride or dextrose. The pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple-dose vials made of glass or plastic.

For convenience of the patient or treating physician, the dosing formulation can be provided in a kit containing all necessary equipment (e.g., vials of drug, vials of diluent, syringes and needles) for a course of treatment (e.g., 7 days of treatment).

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use can include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor EL® (BASF, Parsippany, N.J., USA) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, a composition for parenteral administration must be sterile and should be formulated for ease of syringeability. The composition should be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage, and must be shielded from contamination by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

The pharmaceutical compositions can include a carrier, which can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thiomerasol, and the like. Glutathione and other antioxidants can be included to prevent oxidation. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate or gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle, which contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, typical methods of preparation include vacuum drying and freeze drying, which can yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

In one embodiment, agent of the present technology is administered intravenously. For example, an agent of the present technology may be administered via rapid intravenous bolus injection. In some embodiments, the agent of the present technology is administered as a constant-rate intravenous infusion.

The agent of the present technology may also be administered orally, topically, intranasally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or transdermally. In one embodiment, transdermal administration is by iontophoresis, in which the charged composition is delivered across the skin by an electric current.

Other routes of administration include intracerebroventricularly or intrathecally. Intracerebroventricularly refers to administration into the ventricular system of the brain. Intrathecally refers to administration into the space under the arachnoid membrane of the spinal cord. Thus, in some embodiments, intracerebroventricular or intrathecal administration is used for those diseases and conditions which affect the organs or tissues of the central nervous system.

For systemic, intracerebroventricular, intrathecal, topical, intranasal, subcutaneous, or transdermal administration, formulations of the agents of the present technology may utilize conventional diluents, carriers, or excipients etc., such as those known in the art to deliver the agents of the present technology. For example, the formulations may comprise one or more of the following: a stabilizer, a surfactant, such as a nonionic surfactant, and optionally a salt and/or a buffering agent. The agents of the present technology may be delivered in the form of an aqueous solution, or in a lyophilized form.

V. Dosage

The dosage ranges described herein are exemplary and are not intended to be limiting.

Dosage, toxicity, and therapeutic efficacy of the agents of the present technology can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any agent of the present technology used in the methods described herein, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC₅₀ (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

Typically, an effective amount of the agent of the present technology, sufficient for achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect, ranges from about 0.000001 mg per kilogram body weight per day to about 10,000 mg per kilogram body weight per day. In some embodiments, the dosage ranges will be from about 0.0001 mg per kilogram body weight per day to about 100 mg per kilogram body weight per day. For example dosages can be 1 mg/kg body weight or 10 mg/kg body weight every day, every two days or every three days or within the range of 1-10 mg/kg every week, every two weeks or every three weeks. In one embodiment, a single dosage of the agent of the present technology ranges from 0.1-10,000 micrograms per kg body weight. An exemplary treatment regimen entails administration once per day or once a week. Intervals can also be irregular as indicated by measuring blood levels of glucose or insulin in the subject and adjusting dosage or administration accordingly. In some methods, dosage is adjusted to achieve a desired fasting glucose or fasting insulin concentration. In therapeutic applications, a relatively high dosage at relatively short intervals is sometimes required until progression of the disease is reduced or terminated, or until the subject shows partial or complete amelioration of symptoms of disease. Thereafter, the patient can be administered a prophylactic regimen.

In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of the agent of the present technology is defined as a concentration of the agent of the present technology at the target tissue of 10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻⁶ molar, e.g., approximately 10⁻⁷ molar. This concentration may be delivered by systemic doses of 0.01 to 100 mg/kg or equivalent dose by body surface area. The schedule of doses is optimized to maintain the therapeutic concentration at the target tissue, such as by single daily or weekly administration, but also including continuous administration (e.g., parenteral infusion or transdermal application).

The skilled artisan will appreciate that certain factors may influence the dosage and timing required to effectively treat a subject, including but not limited to, the severity of the disease or disorder, previous treatments, the general health and/or age of the subject, and the presence of other diseases. Moreover, treatment of a subject with a therapeutically effective amount of the therapeutic compositions described herein can include a single treatment or a series of treatments.

VI. Therapeutic Applications

The methods and compositions described herein have a variety of applications and therapeutic uses. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions disclosed herein are directed to the use of any one or more of the agents described in Section II to stimulate FXN transcription. In some embodiments, the present technology relates to methods and compositions for preventing or treating Friedreich's ataxia in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology increase the level of frataxin (FXV) mRNA levels in a cell. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology increase frataxin protein levels in a cell. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology prevent or treat one or more signs or symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia including, but not limited to, e.g., muscle weakness, loss of coordination, lack of reflexes in lower limbs, loss of ability to feel vibrations in lower limbs, vision impairment, color vision changes, involuntary eye movements, pes cavus, hearing impairment, slurred speech, scoliosis, diabetes, heart disorders (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), elevated serum or plasma high sensitive troponin-T (hsTNT) (>4 ngiL), and reduced serum or plasma frataxin protein levels (≦19 ng/mL for pediatric and ≦21 ng/mL for adult patients). In some embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present technology reduce the likelihood that a subject with risk factors for Friedreich's ataxia will develop one or more signs or symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia, or will delay the onset of Friedreich's ataxia.

In practicing the present technology, many conventional techniques in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, and recombinant DNA are used. These techniques are well-known and are explained in, e.g., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vols. I-III, Ansubel, Ed. (1997); Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Ed. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989); DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, Vols. I and II, Glover, Ed. (1985); Oligonucleotide Synthesis, Gait, Ed. (1984); Nucleic Acid Hybridization, Hames & Higgins, Eds. (1985); Transcription and Translation, Hames & Higgins, Eds. (1984); Animal Cell Culture, Freshney, Ed. (1986); Immobilized Cells and Enzymes (IRL Press, 1986); Perbal, A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning; the series, Meth. Enzymol., (Academic Press, Inc., 1984); Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells, Miller & Calos, Eds. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, N Y, 1987); and Meth. Enzymol., Vols. 154 and 155, Wu & Grossman, and Wu, Eds., respectively. Methods to detect and measure levels of polypeptide gene expression products (i.e., gene translation level) are well-known in the art and include the use polypeptide detection methods such as antibody detection and quantification techniques. (See also, Strachan & Read, Human Molecular Genetics, Second Edition. (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., NY, 1999)).

The definitions of certain terms as used in this specification are provided below. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein generally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this present technology belongs.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a cell” includes a combination of two or more cells, and the like.

As used herein, the term “about” indicates values that may deviate up to 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and in some cases up to 20% higher or lower than the value referred to, the deviation range including integer values, and, if applicable, non-integer values as well, constituting a continuous range.

As used herein, the “administration” of an agent to a subject includes any route of introducing or delivering to a subject a compound to perform its intended function.

Administration can be carried out by any suitable route, including orally, intranasally, parenterally (intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, or subcutaneously), intrathecally, topically, iontophoretically and the like. Administration includes self-administration and the administration by another.

The term “binds” refers to formation of a complex between two or more molecules to a statistically greater degree than would be expected for non-interacting molecules; complexes so formed may include covalent bonding or non-covalent bonding (e.g., hydrogen bonding) between two or more of the molecules of the complex. Methods for the detection of complexes involving DNA are well known in the art. Binding is characterized by a dissociation constant (K_(D)), well known in the art.

As used herein, “bromodomain” refers a portion of a polypeptide that recognizes acetylated lysine residues. In one embodiment, a bromodomain of a BET family member polypeptide comprises approximately 110 amino acids and shares a conserved fold comprising a left-handed bundle of four alpha helices linked by diverse loop regions that interact with chromatin.

By “BET family polypeptide” is meant a polypeptide comprising two bromodomains and an extraterminal (ET) domain or a fragment thereof having transcriptional regulatory activity or acetylated lysine binding activity. Exemplary BET family members include Brd2, Brd3, Brd4 and BrdT. Brd4 is a member of the BET family of bromodomain-containing proteins that bind to acetylated histones to influence transcription. As used herein, “Brd4 polypeptide” refers to a protein or fragment thereof having at least 85% identity to NP_055114 that is capable of binding chromatin or regulating transcription. The sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) of the exemplary Brd4 polypeptide NP_055114 is shown below:

  1 msaesgpgtr lmlpvmgdg  letsqmsttq aqaqpqpana astnppppet snpnkpkrqt  61 nqlqyllrv  lktlwkhqfa wpfqqpvdav klnlpdyyki iktpmdmgti kkrlennyyw 121 naqeciqdfn tmftncyiyn kpgddivlma ealeklflqk inelpteete imivqakgrg 181 rgrketgtak pgvstvpntt qastppqtqt pqpnpppvqa tphpfpavtp dlivqtpvmt 241 vppqplqtp  ppvppqpqpp papapqpvqs hppiiaatpq pvktkkgvkr kadtftptti 301 dpiheppslp pepkttklgq rressrpvkp pkkdvpdsqq hpapeksskv seqlkccsgi 361 lkemfakkha ayawpfykpv dvealglhdy cdiikhpmdm stiksklear eyrdaqefga 421 dvrimfsncy kynppdhevv amarklqdvf emrfakmpde peepvvayss pavppptkvv 481 appsssdsss dsssdsdsst ddseeeraqr laelqeqlka vheqlaalsq pqqnkpkkke 541 kdkkekkkek hkrkeeveen kkskakeppp kktkknnssn snvskkepap mkskppptye 601 seeedkckpm syeekrqlsl dinklpgekl grvvhiiqsr epslknsnpd eieidfetlk 661 pstlrelery vtsclrkkrk pqaekvdvia gsskmkgfss sesesssess ssdsedsetg

As used herein, the term “Brd4 binding moiety” refers to compounds or subportion(s) of an agent that are capable of specifically binding a Brd4 polypeptide.

As used herein, a “control” is an alternative sample used in an experiment for comparison purpose. A control can be “positive” or “negative.”

As used herein, the term “effective amount” refers to a quantity sufficient to achieve a desired therapeutic and/or prophylactic effect, e.g. an amount that reduces, ameliorates, or delays the onset of the physiological symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia. In the context of therapeutic or prophylactic applications, in some embodiments, the amount of a composition administered to the subject will depend on the type and severity of the disease and on the characteristics of the individual, such as general health, age, sex, body weight, and tolerance to drugs. In some embodiments, it will also depend on the degree, severity, and type of disease. The skilled artisan will be able to determine appropriate dosages depending on these and other factors. The compositions can also be administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic compounds. In the methods described herein, agents having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, such as acetate or trifluoroacetate salts, may be administered to a subject having one or more signs, symptoms, or risk factors of Friedreich's ataxia, such as, e.g., ataxia, gait ataxia, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, loss of balance, lack of reflexes in lower limbs, loss of tendon reflexes, loss of ability to feel vibrations in lower limbs, loss of sensation in the extremities, loss of upper body strength, weakness in the arms, spasticity, loss of tactile sensation, impairment of position sense, impaired perception of light touch, impaired perception of pain, impaired perception of temperature, vision impairment, color vision changes, involuntary eye movements, pes cavus, inversion of the feet, hearing impairment, dysarthria, dysphagia, impaired breathing, scoliosis, diabetes, glucose intolerance, carbohydrate intolerance, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac failure, elevated serum or plasma high sensitive troponin-T (hsTNT) (>14 ng/L), and reduced serum or plasma frataxin protein levels (≦19 ng/mL for pediatric and ≦21 ng/mL for adult patients). For example, a “therapeutically effective amount” of agents having a formula A-L-B wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence includes levels at which the presence, frequency, or severity of one or more signs, symptoms, or risk factors of Friedreich's ataxia are reduced or eliminated. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount reduces or ameliorates the physiological effects of Friedreich's ataxia, and/or the risk factors of Friedreich's ataxia, and/or delays the progression or onset of Friedreich's ataxia.

As used herein, the terms “expansion” and “repeat expansion” refer to the presence of contiguously repeated oligonucleotide sequences in a gene. The term “hyper-expansion” refers to a level of expansion greater than typically observed in a population. For example, whereas typical alleles may have an expansion of 6-34 repeats, a hyper-expanded allele may include from 66-1700 repeats, or even more.

As used herein, “expression” includes, but is not limited to one or more of the following: transcription of the gene into precursor mRNA; splicing and other processing of the precursor mRNA to produce mature mRNA; mRNA stability; translation of the mature mRNA into protein (including codon usage and tRNA availability); and glycosylation and/or other modifications of the translation product, if required for proper expression and function.

As used herein, the term “oligonucleotide sequence” refers to a plurality of nucleic acids having a defined sequence and length (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or even more nucleotides). Oligonucleotide sequences may be present, for example, within genomic nucleotide sequences. Oligonucleotide sequences may also be present, for example, within nucleotide sequences of genes. Oligonucleotide sequences may also be present, for example, within recombinant nucleotide sequences such as plasmids or vectors. The term “oligonucleotide repeat sequence” or “repeats of an oligonucleotide sequence” refers to a contiguous expansion of oligonucleotide sequences. The terms “nucleic acid” and “nucleotide” refer to ribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleotide, and analogs thereof, well known in the art.

As used herein, the term “predisposed to having” Friedreich's ataxia refers to subjects with a family history of Friedreich's ataxia such that there is a possibility that the subject has inherited one or more genetic loci comprising disease loci and will at some point develop a diagnosable disorder. The term also encompasses subjects heterozygous or homozygous at a single disease locus or multiple disease loci.

As used herein, “specifically binds” means a compound or agent that recognizes and binds a particular polypeptide, polynucleotide, or oligonucleotide, but which does not substantially recognize and bind other molecules in a sample, for example, a biological sample, which naturally includes the particular polypeptide, polynucleotide, or oligonucleotide.

The term “suspected of having” refers to subjects who present with clinical or biochemical symptoms associated with Freidreich's ataxia, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed as having the disorder.

As used herein, the term “subject” refers to an organism administered one or more compositions of the present technology. Typically, the subject is a mammal, such as an animal, e.g., domestic animals (e.g., dogs, cats and the like), farm animals (e.g., cows, sheep, pigs, horses and the like) and laboratory animals (e.g., monkey, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs and the like). In some embodiments, the subject is a human.

The term “transcription,” well known in the art, refers to the synthesis of RNA (i.e., ribonucleic acid) by DNA-directed RNA polymerase. The term “modulate transcription” and similar terms refer to a change in transcriptional level that can be measured by methods well known in the art, e.g., methods directed at the assay of mRNA, the product of transcription. In some embodiments, modulation is an increase in transcription. In other embodiments, modulation is a decrease in transcription.

As used herein, the terms “treat,” treating,” “treatment,” and the like refer to preventing or ameliorating a disorder or condition and/or symptoms associated therewith. By “ameliorate” is meant decrease, suppress, attenuate, diminish, arrest, or stabilize the development or progression of a disease or condition. It will be appreciated that, although not precluded, treating a disorder or condition does not require that the disorder, condition or symptoms associated therewith be completely eliminated. As used herein, the terms “prevent,” “preventing,” “prevention,” “prophylactic treatment” and the like refer to reducing the probability of developing a disorder or condition in a subject, who does not have, but is at risk of or susceptible to developing a disorder or condition.

As referred to herein, in the therapeutic treatment of Friedreich's ataxia, the object is typically to reduce, alleviate or slow down (lessen) the pathologic condition or disorder. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, a subject is successfully “treated” for Friedreich's ataxia if, after receiving a therapeutic amount of an agent having a formula A-L-B, wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such as acetate or trifluoroacetate salt, according to the methods described herein, the subject shows observable and/or measurable reduction in or absence of one or more signs and symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia, such as but not limited to, e.g., ataxia, gait ataxia, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, loss of balance, lack of reflexes in lower limbs, loss of tendon reflexes, loss of ability to feel vibrations in lower limbs, loss of sensation in the extremities, loss of upper body strength, weakness in the arms, spasticity, loss of tactile sensation, impairment of position sense, impaired perception of light touch, impaired perception of pain, impaired perception of temperature, vision impairment, color vision changes, involuntary eye movements, pes cavus, inversion of the feet, hearing impairment, dysarthria, dysphagia, impaired breathing, scoliosis, diabetes, glucose intolerance, carbohydrate intolerance, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac failure, elevated serum or plasma high sensitive troponin-T (hsTNT) (>14 ng/L), and reduced serum or plasma frataxin levels (≦19 ng/mL for pediatric and ≦21 ng/mL for adult patients). It is also to be appreciated that the various modes of treatment of medical conditions as described are intended to mean “substantial,” which includes total but also less than total treatment, and wherein some biologically or medically relevant result is achieved. Treating Friedreich's ataxia, as used herein, also refers to treating the signs and symptoms related to reduced frataxin activity or frataxin expression levels characteristic of Friedreich's ataxia. For example, treating Friedreich's ataxia may refer to increasing frataxin mRNA levels in a patient having Friedreich's ataxia relative to the patient prior to treatment. Treating Friedreich's ataxia may also refer to increasing frataxin protein levels in a patient having Friedreich's ataxia relative to the patient prior to treatment.

As used herein, “Friedreich's ataxia” (FA or FRDA) refers to a disease or condition such that a subject has reduced levels of frataxin relative to an unaffected subject or a healthy carrier having a Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA)-associated allele and where the subject has at least about 50 GAA trinucleotide repeats in the frataxin (FXN) gene.

As used herein, a “triplet repeat” or “trinucleotide repeat” refers to a polymeric form of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) comprising a sequence unit that is three nucleotides in length such that each sequence unit is multiply repeated in a contiguous region in a gene. For example, a “triplet repeat” or “trinucleotide repeat” includes GAA trinucleotide repeats that may be found in the frataxin gene.

Generally, reference to a certain element such as hydrogen or H is meant to include all isotopes of that element. For example, if an R group is defined to include hydrogen or H, it also includes deuterium and tritium. Compounds comprising radioisotopes such as tritium, C¹⁴, P³² and S³⁵ are thus within the scope of the present technology. Procedures for inserting such labels into the compounds of the present technology will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure herein.

In general, “substituted” refers to an organic group as defined below (e.g., an alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups) in which one or more bonds to a hydrogen atom contained therein are replaced by a bond to non-hydrogen atoms. Substituted groups also include groups in which one or more bonds to a carbon(s) or hydrogen(s) atom are replaced by one or more bonds, including double or triple bonds, to a heteroatom. Thus, a substituted group may be substituted with one or more substituents, unless otherwise specified. Examples of substituent groups include: halogens (i.e., F, Cl, Br, and I); alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl; hydroxyls; alkoxy, alkenoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkyloxy, aralkyloxy, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, and heterocyclylalkoxy groups; carbonyls (oxo); carboxylates; esters; urethanes; oximes; hydroxylamines; alkoxyamines; aralkoxyamines; thiols; sulfides; sulfoxides; sulfones; sulfonyls; pentafluorosulfanyl (i.e., SFs), sulfonamides; amines; N-oxides; hydrazines; hydrazides; hydrazones; azides; amides; ureas; amidines; guanidines; enamines; imides; isocyanates; isothiocyanates; cyanates; thiocyanates; imines; nitro groups; nitriles (i.e., CN); and the like. Alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaralkyl, alkoxy, amido, and amino groups may all be substituted one or more times with non-hydrogen groups. If possible, groups may be substituted at the alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, and/or heteroaryl group(s) of the group.

Alkyl groups include straight chain and branched chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and typically from 1 to 10 carbons or, in some embodiments, from 1 to 8, 1 to 6, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of straight chain alkyl groups include groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, and n-octyl groups. Examples of branched alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, isopropyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl, isopentyl, and 2,2-dimethylpropyl groups. Exemplary substituted alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, halogenated alkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), hydroxyalkyl, thioalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and the like.

Cycloalkyl groups include mono-, bi- or tricyclic alkyl groups having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms in the ring(s), or, in some embodiments, 3 to 10, 3 to 8, or 3 to 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms. Exemplary monocyclic cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl groups. In some embodiments, the cycloalkyl group has 3 to 8 ring members, whereas in other embodiments the number of ring carbon atoms range from 3 to 5, 3 to 6, or 3 to 7. Bi- and tricyclic ring systems include both bridged cycloalkyl groups and fused rings.

Cycloalkylalkyl groups are alkyl groups as defined above in which a hydrogen or carbon bond of an alkyl group is replaced with a bond to a cycloalkyl group as defined above. In some embodiments, cycloalkylalkyl groups have from 4 to 16 carbon atoms, 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and typically 4 to 10 carbon atoms.

Alkenyl groups include straight and branched chain alkyl groups as defined above, except that at least one double bond exists between two carbon atoms. Alkenyl groups may have from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and typically from 2 to 10 carbons or, in some embodiments, from 2 to 8, 2 to 6, or 2 to 4 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the alkenyl group has one, two, or three carbon-carbon double bonds.

Alkynyl groups include straight and branched chain alkyl groups as defined above, except that at least one triple bond exists between two carbon atoms. Alkynyl groups have from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and typically from 2 to 10 carbons or, in some embodiments, from 2 to 8, 2 to 6, or 2 to 4 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the alkynyl group has one, two, or three carbon-carbon triple bonds.

Aryl groups are cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that do not contain heteroatoms. Aryl groups herein include monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic ring systems. Thus, aryl groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, azulenyl, heptalenyl, biphenyl, fluorenyl, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl, indenyl, indanyl, pentalenyl, and naphthyl groups. In some embodiments, aryl groups contain 6-14 carbons, and in others from 6 to 12 or even 6-10 carbon atoms in the ring portions of the groups. In some embodiments, the aryl groups are phenyl or naphthyl.

Aralkyl groups are alkyl groups as defined above in which a hydrogen or carbon bond of an alkyl group is replaced with a bond to an aryl group as defined above. In some embodiments, aralkyl groups contain 7 to 16 carbon atoms, 7 to 14 carbon atoms, or 7 to 10 carbon atoms. Exemplary aralkyl groups include, but are not limited to, benzyl and phenethyl groups.

Heterocyclyl groups include aromatic (also referred to as heteroaryl) and non-aromatic (also referred to as heterocycloalkyl or heterocyclylalkyl) ring compounds containing 3 or more ring members, of which one or more is a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, N, O, and S. In some embodiments, the heterocyclyl group contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms. In some embodiments, heterocyclyl groups include mono-, bi- and tricyclic rings having 3 to 16 ring members. Heterocyclyl groups encompass aromatic, partially unsaturated and saturated ring systems, such as, for example, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl and imidazolidinyl groups. The phrase “heterocyclyl group” includes fused ring species including those comprising fused aromatic and non-aromatic groups. However, the phrase does not include heterocyclyl groups that have other groups, such as alkyl, oxo or halo groups, bonded to one of the ring members. Rather, these are referred to as “substituted heterocyclyl groups”. Heterocyclyl groups include, but are not limited to, aziridinyl, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dioxolyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, oxathiane, dioxyl, dithianyl, pyranyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, dihydropyridyl, dihydrodithiinyl, dihydrodithionyl, homopiperazinyl, quinuclidyl, indolyl, indolinyl, isoindolyl, azaindolyl (pyrrolopyridyl), indazolyl, indolizinyl, benzotriazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzoxazinyl, benzodithiinyl, benzoxathiinyl, benzothiazinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, pyrazolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl (azabenzimidazolyl), triazolopyridyl, isoxazolopyridyl, purinyl, xanthinyl, adeninyl, guaninyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, thianaphthyl, dihydrobenzothiazinyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl, dihydroindolyl, dihydrobenzodioxinyl, tetrahydroindolyl, tetrahydroindazolyl, tetrahydrobenzimidazolyl, tetrahydrobenzotriazolyl, tetrahydropyrrolopyridyl, tetrahydropyrazolopyridyl, tetrahydroimidazopyridyl, tetrahydrotriazolopyridyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, 1,2-diazepanyl, 1,3-diazepanyl, and 1,4-diazepanyl groups. Exemplerary heterocyclyl group include, but are not limited to, pyridyl and thiazolyl groups.

Heteroaralkyl groups are alkyl groups as defined above in which a hydrogen or carbon bond of an alkyl group is replaced with a bond to a heteroaryl group as defined above.

Heteroatom as used herein refers to an atom of any element other than carbon or hydrogen. Exemplary heteroatoms include, but are not limited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

Groups described herein having two or more points of attachment (i.e., divalent, trivalent, or polyvalent) within the compound of the present technology are designated by use of the suffix, “ene.” For example, divalent alkyl groups are alkylene groups, divalent aryl groups are arylene groups, divalent heteroaryl groups are divalent heteroarylene groups, and so forth.

Alkoxy groups are hydroxyl groups (—OH) in which the bond to the hydrogen atom is replaced by a bond to a carbon atom of an alkyl group as defined above. Examples of linear alkoxy groups include but are not limited to methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy, hexoxy, and the like. Alkoxyalkyl groups are alkoxy groups in which the oxygen is bonded to both an alkyl group and an alkylene group.

The term “amide” (or “amido”) includes C- and N-amide groups, i.e., —C(O)NR⁷¹R⁷², and —NR⁷¹C(O)R⁷² groups, respectively. R⁷¹ and R⁷² are independently hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl or heterocyclyl group as defined herein.

The term “nitrile” or “cyano” as used herein refers to the —CN group.

The term “amine” (or “amino”) as used herein refers to —NR⁷⁵R⁷⁶ groups, wherein R⁷⁵ and R⁷⁶ are independently hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl or heterocyclyl group as defined herein. In some embodiments, the amine may be alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, or alkylarylamino. In some embodiments, the amino group may be positively charged (e.g., —NH₃+).

The term “halogen” or “halo” as used herein refers to bromine, chlorine, fluorine, or iodine. In some embodiments, the halogen is fluorine. In other embodiments, the halogen is chlorine or bromine.

The term “halogenated alkyl” or “haloalkyl” as used herein refers to alkyl groups as defined above that are mono-, di-, or polysubstituted by halogen. Exemplary halogenated alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, fluoromethyl and trifluoromethyl.

Examples

The present technology is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be construed as limiting in any way.

Unless otherwise noted, starting materials were purchased from standard chemical suppliers and used without further purification. Water was purified with a NANOPURE® water purification system (18.2 MΩ). All buffers were filtered (0.2 μm) before use. Oligonucleotide oligomers were purchased from Integrated DNA Technologies Inc. Cell culture media and reagents were purchased from Invitrogen.

Example 1: Synthesis of Subunit -B Polyamide

Polyamide 1 (see Polyamide 1 formula below) and Polyamide 3 (see Polyamide 3 formula below) were synthesized by manual solid-phase synthesis using Boc-beta-alanine PAM resin following established procedures (Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl) in Baird, E. E. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118, 6141-6146 (1996), which is incorporated herein by reference. After synthesis was complete, the polyamides were cleaved from the support by aminolysis with 3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine (55° C., 12 h). The polyamides were precipitated twice with diethyl ether, dissolved in 15% acetonitrile/H₂O+0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), and purified by reverse-phase preparative HPLC on a C18 column. The clean polyamide fractions were frozen and lyophilized to afford a white or off-white powder. The quantity of each polyamide was measured by UV/Vis spectroscopy with a molar extinction coefficient of 8650 M⁻¹ cm¹ at λ_(max) near 310 nm for each N-methylpyrrole, N-methylimidazole, or 3-chlorothiophene.

Table 1 illustrates the identity and purity of control polyamides 1 and 3 using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and analytical HPLC.

TABLE 1 Mass spectrometric of polyamides 1 and 3. Mass Molecule Molecular formula Mass Calculated Observed Control polyamide 1 C₅₉H₇₃ClN₂₁O₁₀S 1302.53 1303.14 Control polyamide 3 C₄₃H₆₁N₁₈O₈ 957.49 958.11

Example 2: Synthesis of A-L-B Agent

Exemplary subunit A-, (S)-JQ1, was synthesized as previously described in Filippakopoulos, P. et al., Nature 468, 1067-1073 (2010), which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in Scheme 1, following the synthesis of (S)-JQ1, the tert-butyl group was hydrolyzed with formic acid (23° C., 72 h) to afford (S)-JQ1 acid. The JQ1 acid was then activated using 1-Hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (HOAt) and 1-[Bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridinium 3-oxid hexafluorophosphate (HATU), then coupled to linker H₂N-PEG6-CH₂CH₂COOH (23° C., 4 h) to afford (S)-JQ1-PEG6. The resulting molecule was purified by reverse-phase HPLC and verified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Fractions that showed clean molecule were frozen and lyophilized to afford an oil.

Table 2 illustrates the identity and purity of (S)-JQ1-PEG6 using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and analytical HPLC.

TABLE 2 Mass spectrometric of (S)-JQ1-PEG6. Molecule Molecular formula Mass Calculated Mass Observed (S)-JQ1-PEG6 C₃₄H₄₇ClN₅O₉S⁺ 736.28 736.95

As shown in Scheme 2, (S)-JQ1-PEG6 was activated with HOAt and HATU in N,N-diisopropyethylamine (DIEA) and dimethylformamide (DMF), then coupled to control polyamides 1 or 3 to yield the control polyamide 1-PEG6-JQ1 (control conjugate 1) and control polyamide 3-PEG6-JQ1 (Agent 4), respectively. The conjugates were purified by reverse-phase HPLC and analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (Table 3). Fractions that showed clean conjugate without contaminants were frozen in liquid nitrogen and lyophilized to afford a white or off white powder.

Table 3 illustrates the identity and purity of control conjugate 2 and Agent 4 using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and analytical HPLC.

TABLE 3 Mass spectrometric of control conjugate 2 and Agent 4. Mass Mass Molecule Molecular formula Calculated Observed Control conjugate 2 C₉₃H₁₁₇Cl₂N₂₆O₁₈S₂ 2019.79 2020.27 Agent 4 C₇₇H₁₀₅ClN₂₃O₁₆S 1674.75 1675.32

Example 3: Agents of the Present Technology Increase Frataxin Levels in FRDA Patient Cells A. Cell Culture

GM15850 and GM15851 cell lines (Epstein Barr virus transformed human B-lymphocytes) were obtained from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Human Genetic Cell Repository at the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, N.J. The GM15850 cell line was derived from a clinically affected 13 year old Friedreich's ataxia patient ataxia displaying scoliosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and slurred speech, and characterized as homozygous for the GAA expansion in the frataxin gene with alleles of approximately 650 and 1030 repeats. The GM15851 cell line was derived from a clinically unaffected individual having two FRDA alleles in the normal range of GAA trinucleotide repeats (from about 6 to about 34 repeats). This clinically unaffected individual is a brother of the clinically affected patient from which the GM15850 cell line was derived.

Cells were maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine and 15% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO₂. Cell density was maintained between 200,000 cells/mL and 1,000,000 cells/mL. Cell growth and morphology were monitored by phase contrast microscopy and cell viability by trypan blue exclusion. To maintain cell density, cells were passaged by centrifuging at 500g for 3 minutes and resuspending the cells in fresh media. To avoid cross-contamination, cells were handled separately with separate bottles of media. Relevant data were obtained from cell lines passaged between P9 and P12.

B. RT-PCR

To prepare agents for treatment of cells, each agent or agent mixture tested was dissolved in DMSO. The final concentration of DMSO was 0.1% except where JQ1 and Polyamide 3 combined were added to the same cells. For that treatment (JQ1+3), the final concentration of DMSO was 0.2%. 500,000 cells ells were seeded at 500,000 cells/mL and treated 24 h with agents in DMSO (0.1-0.2% DMSO final concentration). For the 24 hour treatment, cell media was changed immediately before treatment with agent and agent was added at the zero time point. The media was not changed during the 24 hour treatment time period.

After treatment with the agents or agent mixtures, cells were harvested and total RNA was purified with the RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.), including on-column DNase I treatment (ZYMO Research, Catalog number E1010), according to manufacturer's directions. The optional drying step, according to the manufacturer's instructions, was performed prior to elution of the purified RNA, and the RNeasy spin column was placed in a new collection tube and centrifuged at full speed for 1 min to remove residual buffers. cDNA was synthesized from 250 ng purified RNA via the iScript cDNA synthesis kit according to manufacturer's instructions (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.). qPCR was performed with iTaq Universal SYBR Green Supermix (Bio-Rad) on a CFX Connect 96 instrument (Bio-Rad). cDNA was analyzed with PCR parameters as follows: 1 cycle of 95° C. 2 min and 40 cycles of 95° C. 5 s, 54° C. 30 s. Primer pairs for TATA-box binding protein (TBP) and FXNwere used. The following primers were used for TBP: 5′-CCACTCACAGACTCTCACAAC-3′ (forward) (SEQ ID NO: 16) and 5′-CTGCGGTACAATCCCAGAACT-3′ (reverse) (SEQ ID NO: 17). The following primers for FXN were: 5′-AGCCAGATTTGCTTGTTTGG-3′ (forward) (SEQ ID NO: 18) and 5′-CAGAGGAAACGCTGGACTCT-3′ (reverse) (SEQ ID NO: 19). The following primers were used for BRWD1: 5′-CCAGCGCATCGGTCCTAT-3′ (forward) (SEQ ID NO: 20) and 5′-CTTCCTGCACCAAGTAAAGAAGT-3′ (reverse) (SEQ ID NO: 21). Expression was normalized to TBP. Error bars represent standard error of the mean for n=4 biological replicates.

C. Results

Agent 4 increases frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in a cell line derived from a patient with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). As shown in FIG. 1A, frataxin (FXN) mRNA was measured by RT-PCR, relative to that of TATAA-box binding protein (TBP) mRNA, in a cell line derived from a patient with Friedreich's ataxia (GM15850). 24 hour treatment of FRDA patient cells (GM15850) with 0.1% DMSO served as a control. Additional control treatments for 24 hours with 0.1% DMSO, 1 M Polyamide 3, 1 M unconjugated JQ1, 1 M Polyamide 3 and 1 μM unconjugated JQ1 (combination treatment), or 1 μM Control Conjugate 2 resulted in no increase in FXN mRNA levels. Treatment for 24 hours with 100 nM Agent 4 resulted in a slight (1.77-fold) increase in FXN mRNA levels. Treatment for 24 hours with 500 nM Agent 4 resulted in a 4.2-fold increase in FXN mRNA levels. Surprisingly, treatment for 24 hours with 1 μM Agent 4 resulted in an 8.5-fold increase in FXN mRNA levels. A 3-fold increase in FXN mRNA levels was observed after 6 hours treatment with 1 μM Agent 4 (data not shown). As shown in FIG. 1B, no changes in FXN mRNA levels were observed when treatment was performed using the GM15851 clinically unaffected cell line. As expected, the GM15850 FRDA patient cell line had a lower level of FXN mRNA compared to the GM15851 clinically unaffected cell line.

Example 4: Luciferase Reporter Assay

The cellular consequence of Agent 4 on frataxin (FXN) expression was examined using a luciferase reporter assay. The luciferase reporter assay is described in Lufino et al., Hum. Mol. Genet., 22(25): 5173-5187 (2013), the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. This reporter, which includes a ˜310 GAA repeat, recapitulates both the transcriptional repression and the heterochromatin formation at the endogenous FXN locus that are hallmarks of the FRDA disease. After 24 hours of treatment with Agent 4 (at 1 or 2 μM), or control treatments (Control Conjugate 2 (“2”), Polyamide 3 (“3”) or JQ1), cells were harvested and luciferase activity was measured. FIG. 2 shows a bar graph of luciferase activity for treated reporter cell lines FAN-Luc and FXN-GAA-Luc. The FXN-GAA-Luc line, containing ˜310 GAA repeats in the first intron of FXN, was treated for 24 hours with the indicated molecules. Treatments are 2 μM unless otherwise indicated. Results are mean±SEM (n=4). The FXN-Luc line, containing 6 GAA repeats, was treated with the same conditions as for the FXN-GAA-Luc line.

A dose-dependent increase in luciferase activity was observed after treatment with Agent 4, exceeding the activity of Compound 109, a histone deacetylase inhibitor that recently completed a Phase Ib clinical trial for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia (see Jacoby, D. et al., (PL1.003) Neurology, 82 (2014). The chemical structure of Compound 109 is shown below.

Significant activation was not observed for any of the control treatments, including treatment with Polyamide 3, JQ1, and the unconjugated combination of Polyamide 3 and JQ1. As an orthogonal test of specificity, we profiled the same compounds in a reporter cell line with just 6 GAA repeats in the first intron of FXN. Neither Agent 4, nor any of the controls, increased luciferase activity in the control line, confirming that the mechanism of action for Agent 4 is dependent on the GAA-repeat expansion (See FIG. 2). These results confirm that a polyamide-JQ1 conjugate can induce a robust increase of frataxin expression.

Methods

Cells containing FXN-Luc or FXN-GAA-Luc were seeded onto 24-well plates at a confluency of 20%. The next day, media was refreshed and cells were treated 24 hours with the indicated compound at the indicated concentration. Next, cell lysates were harvested and analyzed with the Luciferase Assay System (Promega, Madison, Wis.) per manufacturer's directions on a Synergy H4 Hybrid Reader (BioTek, Winooski, Vt.).

Example 5: Immunoblot Assay

To assess the effects of treatment with a polyamide-JQ1 conjugate (e.g., Agent 4) on FXN protein, endogenous FXN levels were measured by immunoblot. After 24 hours of treatment, a dose-dependent increase in FXN protein was observed in GM15850 cells treated with Agent 4 (FIG. 3A). Neither polyamide alone (3), nor JQ1, nor the unconjugated treatment induced increased production of FXN protein. Furthermore, we did not detect overt increase in FXN protein in the unaffected GM15851 cells treated with Agent 4, consistent with this molecule targeting GAA repeats (FIG. 3B).

FIGS. 3A and 3B show immunoblots for FXN and α-tubulin (TUB) in GM15850 cells (FIG. 3A) or GM15851 cells (FIG. 3B) treated with varying concentrations of Control Conjugate 2 (“2”), Polyamide 3 (“3”), JQ1 or Agent 4 (“4”). In FIG. 3A, “50” refers to GM15850 cells and in FIG. 3B, “51” refers to GM15851 cells. Cells were treated as in Example 4. All treatments are 24 hours in duration with 1 μM of the indicated molecule, except DMSO (0.1%) and Agent 4 (0.1, 0.5, or 1 μM). The results confirm an increase in FXN protein after treatment of GM15850 cells with Agent 4 and treatment of GM15851 cells with Agent 4 or Control Conjugate 2.

Methods

Total cell extracts from cell lines were used for immunoblot analysis. Antibodies to frataxin (abcam ab110328, 1:250 dilution) or alpha-Tubulin (Cell Signaling Technologies 2144, 1:1000 dilution) were used. Signal was detected by chemiluminescence with HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies (Bio-Rad 172-1011, 1:2000 for anti-mouse frataxin and GE NA934V, 1:2000 for anti-rabbit alpha-Tubulin).

Example 6: mRNA Levels Measure Viability

To assess the effects of treatment with the compositions of the present technology on cell viability, RNA concentrations of GM15850 cells were measured after 24 hours of treatment with each molecule (Control conjugate 2 (“2”), unconjugated JQ1-(S), Control polyamide 3 (“3”), Control polyamide 3 and JQ1-(S) (unconjugated), Agent 4 (“4”), and Control polyamide 3 bound to JQ1 without a linker (“3-JQ1-(S)”)).

FIG. 4 is a graph showing relative RNA concentrations of cells harvested after 24 hours of treatment with each of the molecules described above. The results show that, without a linker, 3-JQ1-(S) is cytotoxic. The results also show that cells treated with the conjugate molecules (Agent 4) have higher RNA concentrations than those treated with JQ1-(S) or unconjugated Control polyamide 3+JQ1-(S). JQ1-(S) is known to cause cell cycle arrest.

Methods

GM15850 cells were passaged into fresh medium at a concentration of 500,000 cells/mL. The cells were seeded into a 24-well plate and treated with the described compounds for 24 hours in quadruplicate. After 24 hours, the cells were collected, media was removed, and RNA was harvested with a Qiagen RNeasy Mini-Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). RNA concentrations were then measured by nanodrop UV-Vis spectrophotometry.

Example 7: Lymphoblastoid Cell Line (LCL) Data

To assess the effects of treatment with the compositions of the present technology on frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in lymphoblastoid cells, mRNA levels from three different lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) derived from FRDA patient samples were measured after 24 hours of treatment with the Control polyamide 3 and JQ1 (unconjugated) (“3+JQI”) or Agent 4 (“4”).

FIG. 6 is a graph showing relative frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels from three different lymphoblastoid cell lines that were derived from patient samples (LCL-P1, LCL-P2, and LCL-P3). Treatments were fore 24 hours with the described molecules. The results demonstrate an increase in FXN mRNA after treatment of lymphoblastoid cells from FRDA patients with Agent 4.

Methods

FRDA patients (n=3), LCL generation was carried out by Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) induced transduction of B cells, isolated from healthy individuals and patients. The following steps were taken: (a) 2-3×10⁶ cells/ml were seeded into T25 flask (Nunc) in RPMI 1640 medium (Hlimedia) containing 15% FBS (Gibco), 2 mM glutamine (Invitrogen) with the presence of antibiotics, Penicillin (100 I.U./mL) and Streptomycin (100 μg/mL) (Invitrogen); (b) 3 mL of EBV supernatant was added in the flask and kept upright for 3 hours in an incubator (Eppendort) set at 37° C. with 5% CO₂; (c) after 3 hours, 3 mL of 20% RPMI-1640 containing 2 ug/mL of cyclosporine A (Sigma) was added and incubated upright for 6 days without feeding (cells started showing small clumps and changes in morphology from the 5-6th day onwards depending on the cell line); (d) on the 6th day complete medium change was done by spinning down cells at 1000 rpm for 3 minutes and re-suspending the pellet in 15% fresh complete RPML medium; and (e) after 2-3 weeks of incubation, appearance of rosette/clump morphology of cells indicate the transformed phenotype of PBMCs.

The treatments and data collection were performed as follows. Compound treatments were given in quadruplicate. Each cell line was further divided into DMSO/Unconjugated/Conjugate categories (Total 6×10⁶ cells were seeded in 12-well plate (Nunc, Delta Surface) at density of 0.5×10⁶ cells per well in a final volume of 1 mL medium). In vehicle control (DMSO treated group) 1.0 μL DMSO (Sigma) i.e., 0.1% v/v was added, whereas for Unconjugated and Conjugate categories the final concentration of respective compounds were kept 1.0 μM. After 24 hours of incubation, treated cells were further taken for RNA isolation. RNA was harvested with Qiagen RNeasy mini-kit per manufacturer's instructions. RT was done with Applied Biosystem's cDNA synthesis kit. Standard qPCR was performed, normalizing to GAPDH.

Example 8: Peripheral Blood Mononuclear (PBMC) Data

To assess the effects of treatment with the compositions of the present technology on frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in primary patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), mRNA levels from eleven different PBMC samples derived from FRDA patients (P1-P11) were measured after 24 hours of treatment with Agent 4 (“4”) (FIG. 7).

FIG. 7 is a graph showing relative FXN mRNA levels from eleven different PBMC samples derived from FRDA patients following 24-hour treatment with Agent 4. The results demonstrate an increase in FXN mRNA after treatment of PBMCs from FRDA patients with Agent 4.

Methods

PBMC isolation was done using Ficoll Histopaque gradient (Sigma-Aldrich) and the number of cells present were counted using hemocytometer. Peripheral blood was drawn from FRDA patients into ACD Buffer vial and stored at room temperature. Biological safety cabinet (ESCO Class II BSC) and required materials were cleaned thoroughly with 70% ethanol (Merck KGaA). Meanwhile, 1×DPBS (Gibco Life technology Ref. 14190-144), Ficoll Histopaque (Sigma Lot#RNBF-2365), 15% RPMI-1640 (HIMEDIA Ref.-AL060), HIFBS (Gibco Cat. no. 10082147) were warmed in water bath set at 37° C. (Sun Scientific Industries). 8 mL of blood was diluted with 8 mL 1×DPBS (1:1), and mixed properly to make it a homogeneous solution.

Carefully, 8 mL diluted blood cell suspension was layered over 4 mL of Histopaque (1:2 ratio) in a 15 mL falcon tube. The falcons were spun at 400×g for 40 minutes in swing out bucket rotor without break (Heraceus Megafuge-16R Centrifuge), at room temperature. After centrifugation, the upper layer leaving the whitish buffy coat (lymphocyte layer) was transferred into new 15 mL falcon and brought up to 4 mL with 1×DPBS. The falcons were spun at 400×g for 12 minutes with breaks on. The previous step was repeated. The supernatant was discarded and cell pellet was re-suspended in 15% RPMI. Cell count was performed using Hemocytometer.

The treatments and data collection were performed as follows. Compound treatments were given in quadruplicate. Each cell line was further divided into DMSO/Unconjugated/Conjugate categories (Total 6×10⁶ cells were seeded in 12-well plate (Nunc, Delta Surface) at density of 0.5×10⁶ cells per well in a final volume of 1 mL medium). In vehicle control (DMSO treated group) 1.0 μL DMSO (Sigma) i.e., 0.1% v/v was added, whereas for Unconjugated and Conjugate categories the final concentration of respective compounds were kept 1.0 M. After 24 hours of incubation, treated cells were further taken for RNA isolation. RNA was harvested with Qiagen RNeasy mini-kit per manufacturer's instructions. RT was done with Applied Biosystem's cDNA synthesis kit. Standard qPCR was performed, normalizing to GAPDH.

Example 9: Binding of the Agents of the Present Technology to Brd4

To confirm that the conjugates of the present technology bind to Brd4, an AlphaScreen™ assay (Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous assay) was performed. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the binding of the molecules of the present technology to Brd4 (the target of JQ1-(S)). The results demonstrate that the conjugates bind to Brd4 as well as JQ1-(S) does independently.

Methods

The AlphaScreen™ assay is a bead-based proximity assay. There are acceptor and donor beads that, when proximal, amplify a chemiluminescent signal via reaction with a singlet oxygen species. For this assay, Brd4 and acetylated lysine are each bound to one type of bead. Then, as compounds are titrated, signal disappears due to out competing the acetylated lysine residues. Compounds ranged in concentration from 10 nM to 1 M.

Example 10: ChIP-Sequencing at the FXN Locus

To confirm that the conjugates of the present technology recruit Brd4, the super elongation complex, and a Cdk9 kinase that phosphorylates Ser2 of the CTD of RNA Polymerase II, a series of ChIP-seq experiments were performed. FIG. 9C shows an FXN locus increase in Brd4 and FIG. 10C shows an FXN locus increase in pSer2 occupancy in the Agent 4-treated GM15850 cells relative to DMSO-treated GM15850 cells (FIGS. 9A and 10A) and 3+JQ1-(S)-treated GM15850 cells (FIGS. 9B and 10B). In the case of RNAPol2 (pol2), FIG. 11C, shows an increase in elongating RNAPol2 moving through the FXN locus gene body in the Agent 4-treated GM15850 cells relative to DMSO- and 3+JQ1-(S)-treated GM15850 cells (FIGS. 11A and 11B, respectively).

Methods

This is an example of a typical ChIP-Rx experiment. It is ChIP-seq but with a drosophila spike-in for better normalization. According to methods known in the art, three different IPs were done (Total RNAPol2, phospho-Ser2 of the CTD of RNAPol2, and Brd4). Brd4 required more cells (˜10⁸ per treatment) compared to the others (˜2.5×10⁷). Three treatments were performed for 24 hours in GM15850 cells (DMSO, unconjugated 3+JQ1-(S), and Agent 4, both at 1 μM). The plots shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, FIGS. 10A-10C, and FIGS. 11A-11C are of read density over the entire frataxin gene body.

EQUIVALENTS

The present technology is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the present technology. Many modifications and variations of this present technology can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the present technology, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present technology is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this present technology is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like, include the number recited. 

1. An agent having a formula A-L-B wherein -L- is a linker; A- is a Brd4 binding moiety; and -B is a nucleic acid binding moiety that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence.
 2. The agent of claim 1, wherein the -B is a polyamide that specifically binds to one or more repeats of a GAA oligonucleotide sequence.
 3. The agent of claim 1, wherein the agent is capable of increasing frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in a GM15850 Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) patient cell line relative to an untreated GM15850 cell.
 4. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the agent of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 5. A method for increasing frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels in a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of the agent of claim
 1. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cell comprises a frataxin (FXN) gene including at least about 30 GAA repeats.
 7. A method for increasing frataxin (FXN) protein levels in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of the agent of claim
 1. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cell comprises frataxin (FXN) gene including at least about 30 GAA repeats.
 9. A method of treating Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the agent of claim
 1. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein frataxin (FXN) mRNA levels are increased relative to those in the subject prior to treatment.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein frataxin (FXN) protein levels are increased relative to those in the subject prior to treatment.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the treatment comprises ameliorating one or more symptoms of Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA).
 13. The agent of claim 1, wherein the -B comprises one or more of the following subunits:

wherein Z is hydrogen, amino, or amido group.
 14. The agent of claim 13, wherein the -B comprises -X-(β-Py-Im), -β-Py-TRM; X is -β-Im-, -β-Py-, -β-, or a bond; n is 1-10; and -TRM is -ImT or -CTh; with the proviso that one of the -β-Py-Im- trimers may be replaced by a -β-Im-Im-trimer.
 15. The agent of claim 14, wherein the -B comprises -(β-Py-Im)_(n), -β-Py-ImT; Z is hydrogen; and n is 1 or
 2. 16. The agent of claim 14, wherein the -B comprises -β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT or -β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-CTh; and Z is hydrogen.
 17. The agent of claim 1, wherein -L- is a linker having a backbone chain which comprises at least about 10 continuous atoms.
 18. The agent of claim 17, wherein -L- comprises a combination of one or more linking moieties selected from the group consisting of arylene, cycloalkylene, heteroarylene, heterocycloalkylene, —O—, —(CH₂)—, —(CH₂CH₂O)—, —(OCH₂CH₂)_(r), —C(O)NR′—, —NR′C(O)—, —C(O)—, —NR*—, —(CH₂CH₂CH₂O)_(y)—, —(OCH₂CH₂CH₂)_(y)—, and

wherein R′ and R* are each independently a hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl; and x and y are each independently an integer from 1-10. (R′ typically —H; R* typically —CH₃)
 19. The agent of claim 17, wherein -L- comprises —(CH₂)_(X)—C(O)NH—(CH₂CH₂O)_(Y)—(CH₂)_(Q)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(Z)—N(CH₃)—(CH₂)_(P)—NH—, —(CH₂)_(X)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(R)—(OCH₂CH₂)_(Y)—O—(CH₂)_(Q)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(Z)—N(CH₃)—(CH₂)_(P)—NH—, or —(CH₂)_(X)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(Z)—N(CH₃)—(CH₂)_(P)—C(O)NH—(CH₂CH₂O)_(Y)—(CH₂)_(Q)—NH—; x is an integer from 1 to 5; z, p, _(R) and _(Q) are each independently an integer from 2 to 5; and y is an integer from 1 to
 10. 20. The agent of claim 17, wherein -L- comprises —(CH₂)—C(O)NH—(CH₂CH₂O)_(Y)—(CH₂)₂—C(O)NH—(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)—(CH₂)₃—NH—; and y is an integer from 3 to
 10. 21. The agent of claim 17, wherein -L- comprises one or more linking moieties selected from (Gly-Ser-Gly)_(V) (SEQ ID NO: 14) and (Gly-Gly-Ser)_(W) (SEQ ID NO: 15), where v and w are an integer from 1 to
 10. 22. The agent of claim 1, wherein the A- is a triazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety.
 23. The agent of claim 22, wherein the A- is a triazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety having a formula

J is N, O or CR¹¹; K is N, O or CR¹¹; with the proviso that J and K cannot both be —O—; P is N, except when one of J or K is O, P is C; wherein R¹¹ is a hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group; R¹ is a hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, halogenated alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or —COOR⁴; wherein R⁴ is a hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted arylene, aralkylene, cycloalkylene, heteroarylene, heteroaralkylene, heterocycloalkylene, alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, or cycloalkylalkylene group optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms; R² is an optionally substituted aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aralkyl group; R³ is a hydrogen, halogen, or optionally substituted alkyl group; and Ring E is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl ring.
 24. The agent of claim 22, wherein the A- is a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety having a formula

wherein R³ is hydrogen or —CH₃; R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are each independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or halomethyl group; and R⁸ is a halogen.
 25. The agent of claim 1, wherein -L- is a linker having a backbone chain which comprises about 15 to 30 continuous atoms; the -B comprises -X-(β-Py-Im)_(n)-β-Py-TRM; X is -β-Im-, -β-Py-, -β-, or a bond; n is 1 or 2; -TRM is -ImT or -CTh; and the A- is a thienotriazolodiazepine Brd4 binding moiety having a formula:

wherein R³ is hydrogen or —CH₃; R¹, R⁵, and R⁷ are methyl; and R⁸ is a halogen.
 26. The agent of claim 25, wherein the -L- is a linker comprising —(CH₂)_(X)—C(O)NH—(CH₂CH₂O)_(Y)—(CH₂)_(Q)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(Z)—N(CH₃)—(CH₂)_(P)—NH—, —(CH₂)_(X)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(R)—(OCH₂CH₂)_(Y)—O—(CH₂)_(Q)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(Z)—N(CH₃)—(CH₂)_(P)—NH— or —(CH₂)_(X)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(Z)—N(CH₃)—(CH₂)_(P)—C(O)NH—(CH₂CH₂O)_(Y)—(CH₂)_(Q)—NH—; x is an integer from 1 to 5; z, p, _(R) and _(Q) are each independently an integer from 2 to 5; and y is an integer from 1 to
 10. 27. The agent of claim 25, wherein the -B comprises a polyamide sequence selected from the group consisting of: β-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, β-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, β-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, -β-β-Py-Im-β-Py-Im-β-Py-ImT, β-Py-Im-β-Py-CTh and β-Py-β-Py-Im-β-Py-CTh.


28. The method of claim 5, wherein the cell comprises a gene, which includes at least about 30 GAA repeats and a sequence encoding a functional frataxin polypeptide sequence fused to a reporter gene.
 29. The method of claim 8, wherein the cell comprises a reporter gene fused to the 3′-end of the frataxin (FXN) gene.
 30. A method for increasing levels of functional frataxin polypeptide in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of the agent of claim 1; wherein the cell comprises a fusion gene including at least about 30 GAA repeats and a sequence encoding a functional frataxin polypeptide sequence fused to a heterologous polypeptide sequence. 